(DIRECTV reaches the 130 number by including 18 PPV HD channels and some other sleight-of-hand tricks. Click DIRECTV cooks the numbers for more information.)

But then DIRECTV goes on to say in the AAA magazine ad that Dish's HD count is "barely over 100."

Actually, Dish, which has steadily added more HD channels over the last year, is well over the 100 HD channel mark now. Although the nation's second largest satcaster also has a tendency to cook the numbers, most objective analysts now say that Dish has more HD channels than DIRECTV.

And, finally, DIRECTV says in the ad that "cable's" HD count is "not even close."

Well, that's a false statement, too. While some cable operators are still far below the 100 HD total, Comcast and Time Warner are among those that now offer more than 100 HD channels in several cities. And Cablevision now offers more than 100 high-def channels in the New York tri-state area.

DIRECTV's flimsy advertising claim also does not even mention Verizon's FiOS and AT&T's U-Verse TV services which offer more than 100 HD channels in each market they serve.

DIRECTV says it soon plans to launch a new satellite that will give it the capacity to offer 200 HD channels. Rather than lie about its current record -- and the records of its rivals -- it should focus on ensuring that the launch is successful and that more HD channels are added sooner than later.

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Phillip Swann is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.

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