Apparently this is happening to other people as well:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r29155390-
Note: I found this thread in between Verizon support calls this morning (outlined below) and subsequently mentioned it to the last tech I spoke with.
Unfortunately, for me the support folks at Verizon have been incapable of even basic case management. I called in this morning only to find my case had been closed without resolution and no notification to me. The rep I spoke with created a new case in hopes of keeping the wheels turning. I subsequently received a call back from a tech, who evidently was expecting a field tech to answer the phone, and he informed me that his system is showing the channel availability in my market as To Be Determined. I thanked him for the info but pointed out that previous support reps, including supposed communications from the video department, said it should absolutely be available now, as does the website, and that if it’s not available right now it would be good for everyone at Verizon to be on the same page. He agreed, albeit somewhat begrudgingly. He seemed wholly uninspired by the incongruities I was describing. Supposedly the matter is still being reviewed by the “FNOC Video Department”. Keep in mind this was an issue that on Monday they were looking to send a tech on site to troubleshoot at my house. Talk about a waste of resources.
So going back to my original question, I guess when Verizon says a new channel is live it’s best to assume it’s not and give it an undetermined period of time to be viewable.