High-definition set-top boxes are selling too fast:

Verizon appears to be hardest hit. Its delay has been in place for about two weeks and affects customers placing new orders for the equipment, said Verizon spokesman Eric Rabe.

The shortage follows a spike in orders for HD boxes during the holiday season, likely a result of consumers receiving new TV sets as gifts as well as upgrading TV sets in anticipation of the Super Bowl, says Mr. Rabe. The jump in orders likely was aggravated, ironically, by a promotional offer in which Verizon is giving away high-definition TV sets to new FiOS customers. The offer has been so successful the company has renewed it three times.