I actually think is is rather PATHETIC of Verizon, we begged them for years to Add H2 in HD (they were the ONLY carrier not to have the channel in HD) and the second the channel is shut down they add it's replacement in HD.
Pathetic Verizon.
I am sure it all has do with the terms of any agreement between Verizon and the provider. Probably were not required to include H2 in HD and so didn't.