Verizon launches FiOS1 Channels on Long Island and in Northern New Jersey

Starting Monday (June 22), Verizon FiOS TV subscribers on Long Island in New York and in nine counties in northern New Jersey have exciting new choices for local information, entertainment and sports on two new channels called FiOS1.

FiOS1 Long Island and FiOS1 New Jersey will bring viewers compelling new options for hyper-local content that includes news, regular traffic and weather reports, and other programming. And the channels won't be found on cable TV.

"FiOS1 Long Island and FiOS1 New Jersey are all about the communities. These FiOS1 channels will redefine the delivery of truly local information about people, news and what's going on in those areas," said Michael Ritter, chief marketing officer for Verizon Telecom. "With industry-leading partners and a cutting-edge and energized team of mobile journalists, or Mo-Jos, we plan to bring FiOS TV subscribers the type of programming that matters most -- targeted, timely and tailored for local communities."

FiOS1 -- Great Local Programming and More, From Verizon

With partners including the North Shore - LIJ Health System and other producers on Long Island, and The Star Ledger/NJ.com, NJN Public Television, Emmy Award-winning TV host and Star-Ledger columnist Steve Adubato and others in New Jersey, FiOS1 will bring viewers a vast array of programming tied directly to the communities where it is offered. The Regional News Network (RNN) is providing news and production functions.

FiOS1 on Long Island will offer "My Long Island," a program focused on people sharing their living and working experiences on the island. A magazine show called "Push-Pause" will feature fully produced, in-depth stories about local activities, events and people.

Sports will also play a major role. Both FiOS1 Long Island and FiOS1 New Jersey will feature high school games of the week. In addition to airing some of the best high school football, basketball and lacrosse games in the region, the channels plan to air other sports including fencing, bowling and wrestling. FiOS1 New Jersey will also carry several Rutgers University sports including at least three women's basketball games.

The Star-Ledger will co-produce televised high school sporting events with FiOS1 New Jersey. This combined programming will highlight some of the best high school athletic events in the state, including a game of the week and various conference and state championship games.

"The Star-Ledger and NJ.com have had a long-standing commitment to provide the most robust coverage of high school sports in New Jersey," said George Arwady, publisher of The Star-Ledger. "This arrangement with Verizon FiOS1 will dramatically increase the televised and Web presentation of New Jersey high school sports. This is good for students and their families, as well as the schools and the state interscholastic athletic association."

Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon, said: "We want to be the source for information, sports and innovative programming. Our goal is to be the channel of choice for Long Island and northern New Jersey FiOS TV subscribers. We're looking to bring them the news, events and issues that matter most in their city or town."

A video preview of Verizon's FiOS1 channels on Long Island and in North Jersey can be found at http://verizon.mediaseed.tv/Story.aspx?story=36772.

Viewers must subscribe to Verizon FiOS TV in order to see FiOS1. It's now available to FiOS customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island and in parts of 240 communities in nine northern New Jersey counties: Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Morris, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, Passaic and Union.

New Bundles, Internet Speeds and Special Offers

As Verizon launches FiOS1 channels on Long Island and in North Jersey, it's also bringing consumers nationally a new round of FiOS TV enhancements and incentives.

Verizon is doubling-to-quadrupling the upstream connection speeds of its most popular FiOS Internet offerings. The company has raised the speed of its entry-level FiOS Internet service from 10/2 Megabits per second (Mbps) to 15/5 Mbps and has raised the speed of its flagship, mid-tier offering from 20/5 Mbps to 25/15 Mbps. In New York City, on Long Island and in other New York City suburbs, FiOS Internet is even faster with a new entry-level speed of 25/15 Mbps, and a new mid-tier offering of 35/20 Mbps, available only in bundles.

Additionally, the company is offering consumers a new set of "good, better and best" bundles that include more choices, the faster Internet speeds and exciting new incentives, including Compaq Mini netbooks or Flip Ultra camcorders. More information can be found at www.verizon.com/fios.

Verizon's FiOS TV service was selected as the top-ranked residential television service provider in the Northeast region by J.D. Power for 2008. FiOS TV is currently available to more than 9.2 million homes in 14 states: California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

Verizon's fiber network delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. In addition to FiOS TV, Verizon's fiber network also delivers Internet download speeds of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps, as well as high-quality voice service.*

Verizon Webcast/Conference Call Today

At 11:30 a.m. Eastern time today, Verizon executives will hold a webcast/conference call to discuss the launch of the new channels. The webcast can be accessed at: www.verizonwebcasts.com/vzt/09407. Participants can also join by phone by calling toll free: 800-857-1380 or 773-799-3385. The participant passcode for both numbers is VERIZON.

A digital recording of the call will be available beginning at 2 p.m. today and will continue for 48 hours, accessible by calling toll free: 800-510-9771 or 402-344-6800. The passcode for both numbers is 58643.

* NOTE: Actual (throughput) speeds will vary.