Verizon Signs Agreement for America's Top Two Weather-Information Networks

NEW YORK -- Verizon today announced a long-term affiliation agreement with The Weather Channel for two separate services -- The Weather Channel, the only national weather information network, and Weatherscan by The Weather Channel, an all-local, 24/7 network providing weather information for pinpointed areas in which subscribers reside.

Verizon will make the services available to all subscribers of Verizon FiOS TV, which launched Sept. 22 in Keller, Texas. The agreement was signed prior to the Keller launch.

"We know that viewers rely on The Weather Channel and Weatherscan in times of severe weather and in their daily lives, said Terry Denson, vice president of programming and marketing for Verizon FiOS TV. "Our subscribers will have the benefits of The Weather Channel's national forecasts plus the added convenience of customized local weather reports in each region we serve."

Becky Powhatan, executive vice president of affiliate relations for The Weather Channel, said, "We are proud that Verizon sees the value of our services and recognizes the value of our brand and the benefits we provide in serving the local community. By offering our networks to subscribers, Verizon will provide accurate and up-to-the-minute weather information that is truly indispensable to people's lives, plus unparalleled programming content and lifestyle features that will enhance Verizon's relationships with local customers."

Both networks provide local weather that is customized specifically for Verizon customers in each of the geographic areas in which they live. In addition to its unequaled national and regional coverage of weather developments affecting the country, The Weather Channel provides local coverage that includes: "Local on the 8s" six times an hour and continuous display of local conditions and forecasts at the bottom of the screen. The all-local weather information offerings on Weatherscan include: local conditions, observations for surrounding communities, local radar, local traffic, regional radar, satellite images, 36-hour forecasts, extended forecasts, watches and warnings, and an almanac page showing sunrise, sunset and phases of the moon plus tailored lifestyle information.

Verizon launched FiOS TV Sept. 22 in Keller, Texas, unveiling a broad collection of all-digital programming with more than 330 channels and more on the way. FiOS TV digital customers will also have access to a large selection of on-demand content that is easy to order and view.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About The Weather Channel

The all-weather networks operated by The Weather Channel Companies include The Weather Channel, the 24-hour national network established in 1982, and the all-local weather network, Weatherscan. The web site of The Weather Channel, weather.com, reaches more than 30 million unique users per month and is consistently ranked #10 among all Web sites by Nielsen//NetRatings. The Weather Channel also operates The Weather Channel Radio Network, The Weather Channel Newspaper Services, an education Web site at weatherclasssroom.com, and is the leading weather information provider for emerging technologies. This includes PC applications, broadband and interactive television applications, with wireless weather products accessible through high-speed Internet services, phones, pagers, and other personal digital assistants. The Weather Channel is owned by Landmark Communications, Inc., a Norfolk, Va.-based, privately held media company.

About Verizon Communications Inc.

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of more than 214,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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