Verizon to Have Over 150 HD Channels by End of 2008

Marcus Carr

News Release

Verizon Plans Fivefold Increase in HD Channels on FiOS TV in 2008

Part of a Major Expansion of High-Definition and Standard-Definition Programming on Verizon's Video Network

More Sports and Multicultural Content on the Way

November 1, 2007

NEW YORK - Verizon FiOS TV customers will get even more of the high-definition content they love as Verizon today announced plans for a fivefold increase in the number of HD channels, to 150 channels, as well as plans for offering additional HD content through FiOS TV's video-on-demand service. Verizon is also planning a major expansion of sports and multicultural programming on FiOS TV in 2008.

"Once more, Verizon leads the way," said Shawn Strickland, vice president - video solutions. "We launched FiOS TV in 2005 with more HD than most cable and satellite companies, and we know that our HD customers expect us to continue that lead. We're planning a major initiative in 2008 that will give our customers an unprecedented choice of HD and other programming."

Verizon customers already enjoy the most amazing picture quality available over the nation's most advanced digital all-fiber optic network.

In the spring of 2008, Verizon will begin expanding its HD lineup as well as the sports and multicultural program offerings on FiOS TV. Verizon initially will double the current number of HD channels, on a market-by-market basis, to more than 60, including additional sports channels. Verizon expects to have more than 150 HD channels by year-end 2008 as it continues to add to its HD lineup and programmers launch new channels. The company also will add standard-definition sports, multicultural and other programming during the year.

True HD Experience

Because Verizon offers FiOS TV on its fiber-to-the-home network, Verizon has the capacity to provide HD programming without compressing the signal it receives from the programmers.

"FiOS TV delivers a true HD experience," Strickland said. "Unlike some other service providers, Verizon doesn't compromise quality by compressing programming into limited bandwidth. Our fiber-optic network has the capacity to deliver programming the way programmers intended it to be seen."

In addition to the expanded HD channel lineup, Verizon will offer HD programming through its industry-leading video-on-demand library, which already totals more than 10,000 titles. Before the end of 2007, Verizon expects to introduce a limited number of HD on-demand titles, which will increase to more than 1,000 HD titles in 2008.

During 2008, Verizon also will expand the reach of HD programming throughout the home. Through enhancements to the Verizon-exclusive Home Media DVR service, customers will be able to record HD shows and watch them from any room in the house with an HDTV and an HD set-top box.

About FiOS TV

During the third quarter of 2007, from June through September, 202,000 new customers chose FiOS TV from Verizon; at the end of the quarter, Verizon had 717,000 FiOS TV customers in 12 states. The service was available for sale to 4.7 million premises, and penetration averaged 15.2 percent across all markets. Verizon FiOS TV currently offers the following HD national channels: TNT HD, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, NFL Network HD, HD Net, HD Net Movies, Universal HD, Discovery HD Theater, Wealth TV HD, National Geographic Channel HD, MHD, Food Network HD, HGTV HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD and A&E HD. It also offers local broadcast channels in high definition and HD premium channels, including HBO HD, Cinemax HD, Showtime HD, TMC HD and Starz HD.

http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-...-fivefold.html

demon2313

That's freakin great finally they actually said something ,but what happened to the 5 discovery hd networks we were going to get this month was that just a rumor

JPL

Funny you should mention that. Take a look at this report of the same press release.

http://technology.beloblog.com/archi...s_hd_chan.html

Note the first item in the list of highlights - some additional HD channels before the end of 2007. I went through the press release itself, and I didn't see that in there... but I still found that interesting.

Also, someone on dslreports - who I think was really a troll, and was just trying to stir up trouble - claimed to be an insider who claimed that 8 HD channels were coming on the 21st, including the 5 mentioned earlier. Personally, I think that his credibility is about as close to zero as you can get, so I'm not putting any stock in it. Still, I believe we're going to get SOME new HD this year.

Personally I'm more stoked for the HD VOD offerings.

demon2313

Well personally i hope they at least give us the new discoveryhd network's such as TLC,SCIENCE CHANNEL,ANIMAL PLANET,TRAVEL,HISTORY......,in my opinion those are the only new hd channels that would actually have any true hd content that would be worth while and i think they will keep a lot of subscribers happy and quiet(including me)until 2008 if they do.

SOBAY310

Great! Something to look forward to! At least they made an announcement.

truba11a

not to be a flamer but directv>fios

Baff

Don't worry, you aren't being a flamer. You are being a troll.

truba11a

=[[

Big SZ

Actually, DirecTV is Clubber Lang and FiOS is Rocky Balboa. You know what happened in their second fight. Just so Dish isn't left out....Dish is Mickey...after he dies.

truba11a

u mean the 70 year old who thinks he can beat up people half his age because the writers of a movie say he can? sorry bro but this aint the movies ;[

Big SZ

Thanks, BRO.

Funny, I thought this was the movies....something else I think...you have no idea what in the blue hell you're talking about...about FiOS vs. DirecTV or Rocky....Rocky III was out around 1983...back when it was a respectable movie franchise....and before Stallone got old....perhaps your parents were still using birth control back then.


Last thing I think...BRO.....learn a little respect and hold off insulting people until the situation really warrants insults...BRO.

truba11a

how did i attack anyone? except maybe verizon/stallone/the people who made rocky ? i didnt say anything directed towards anyone the phrase "bro" is used in respect between two guys if u wanna make anything i said towards verizon and other multi billion/millionaires as a personal insult at u go for it but i know what i said...also ima be the bigger man and just ignore your personal attacks

maj48

Now all we need if for Verizon to:
a) up thier hard drive size on the DVR or
b) allow us to add an exteranl drive to the DVR

20 hours of HD record capability ain't anything....

truba11a

another reason why directv>fios

JPL

Unless you want tivo... in which case, Fios > DirecTV. Look, I'm really not interested in a spitting contest between DirecTV and FiOS. Both have pros and cons. It really comes down to which service better suits your needs. I liked DirecTV alot, but I like FiOS more. It's better suited to my family's needs.