Video That Is in Demand is 'On Demand' From Verizon
June 10, 2009
NEW YORK – June 10, 2009 – The way Americans watch video has changed: It’s no longer about what’s on. It’s about What do I want to watch now? And as consumers look for more ways to catch their favorite movies and television shows, Verizon’s video-on-demand (VOD) services offer affordable, convenient and compelling choices.
Verizon is the industry leader in VOD across multiple platforms, with tens of thousands of video options for customers interested in everything from the latest movies to popular television shows, can’t-miss sporting events and more. Verizon’s ongoing investments in its broadband networks make delivering video to customers – on mobile, on the Internet and on television – targeted, fast and simple.
In a world where consumers demand more choice – not only of what they watch, but where and when they watch the programs that matter to them – Verizon delivers the best video-on-demand options, said Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon. We know people want to be entertained, need to be informed and choose carefully how they spend their time and money; so Verizon makes countless videos that are in demand, available on demand.
Video on Demand Across Multiple Platforms
Verizon makes it easy for consumers to access the content they want, where they want and when they want – whether it’s with V CAST from Verizon Wireless, FiOS TV, FiOS Internet or Verizon High Speed Internet. As the industry leader in VOD, Verizon has expanded the service this year across all platforms.
Since the beginning of the year, V CAST Videos from Verizon Wireless brought more than 135 full-length TV series from leading broadcast and cable providers to wireless phones, so customers wouldn’t have to miss a minute of their favorite shows. These top-rated and most-watched programs rotate with the television season, with episodes available on V CAST within hours of their first airing on television. In the first quarter of 2009, there were nearly 50 million downloads and streams of V CAST video and music.
FiOS TV’s Video on Demand boasts an industry-leading library with more than 15,000 titles per month, 70 percent of which are free. This includes everything from popular movies and concerts to exercise and kids programming – all watched in the comfort of consumers’ living rooms.
With more than 85 new VOD properties launched in the last year, FiOS TV continually brings customers new and enhanced programming choices. Later this summer, Verizon plans to bring even more to the VOD library, with new content from Univision, Sony Entertainment and more.
Our customers are purchasing more movies than the industry average, said Tricia Lynch, director of Video on Demand programming at Verizon. FiOS TV’s extensive VOD library, coupled with Verizon’s advanced Interactive Media Guide, make our robust offering easy to navigate and simple to buy movies.
The FiOS TV VOD library also features more than 1,400 high-definition titles per month, more than 1,000 of which are free. FiOS TV customers have taken advantage of this, with HD VOD usage quadrupling in the last six months.
Verizon works with its partners to deliver these entertainment options to the company’s tens of millions of customers, creating distribution opportunities across multiple platforms. For example, more than 40 networks provide content to both V CAST Video and FiOS TV VOD.
Verizon High Speed Internet (HSI) and FiOS Internet offer even more premium video, including movies on demand with StarzPlay and family entertainment from the Disney Connection, delivered directly to subscribers’ computers. For sports fans, there are thousands of on-demand sporting events and live games from ESPN360, as well as online programming from the YES Network. TV programs on demand, music videos, recipe and arts and crafts videos, and online gaming are among the other offerings available through the Verizon online entertainment portal.
And, with speeds of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per seconds), Verizon’s Internet service makes it simple to purchase and download movies, videos and TV programming when and where subscribers want.
Pricing and Availability
Customers with select V CAST-enabled phones can check out V CAST whenever they want for just $3 for 24-hour use or by signing up for the $15 V CAST VPak monthly subscription, which also includes access to the Verizon Wireless ESPN MVP service, Get It Now®, and Mobile Web services. Customers get unlimited basic video, but application download fees may apply for 3D games and premium video. There are no airtime or megabyte charges to download, stream or watch V CAST content, with any V CAST subscription.
FiOS TV customers can access the thousands of titles available in the VOD library at any time, with a click of the remote’s On Demand button or by tuning to channel 900. FiOS TV offers a broad collection of programming, with 500 all-digital channels, including more than 100 HD channels. The service also offers an innovative Interactive Media Guide that provides next-generation, personalized interactive services, including news and entertainment widgets, fantasy football applications, a robust search engine, and many other features.
FiOS TV is currently available to more than 9.7 million homes in 14 states. For more information on FiOS TV, consumers can visit www.verizon.com/fiostv or call their local Verizon sales office or 888-438-3467.
For more information about Verizon High Speed Internet and FiOS Internet including pricing and speed comparisons, visit www.verizon.com/highspeedinternet.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving more than 86 million customers nationwide. Verizon’s Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network. Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 237,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
