Verizon Adds 30 New Channels to FiOS TV Lineup - Including 17 in HD - for Philadelphia Region Customers

PHILADELPHIA - Verizon FiOS TV is now even better for customers in the Philadelphia region as the company is launching 30 new channels, including 17 additional high-definition (HD) channels.  FiOS TV customers in the area now have more than 1,100 HD choices available at any time, with access to a total of approximately 104 HD channels in the market and more than 1,000 HD video-on-demand (VOD) titles offered each month.

As a result of this latest expansion of the FiOS TV lineup, Verizon is now offering consumers here access to far more HD content than Comcast. 

Customers can get much of this new content with Verizon's new FiOS TV Extreme HD service for $57.99 a month, or in a three-service bundle for $109.99.  Other pricing options are available for new customers and for Verizon's current FiOS TV Premier customers.

"FiOS TV is the only service to consider if you want the ultimate HD experience," said Mary Yarbrough, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Verizon's Mid-Atlantic region.  "With our increased number of HD channels, along with HD video-on-demand programming, we're blowing cable away.

"The addition of new HD channels is part of our commitment to lead the industry in the scope and quality of our programming," said Yarbrough.

In the Philadelphia region, FiOS TV is available to consumers and businesses in much of southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey.  The service also is available in western and south-central Pennsylvania. 

In addition, Verizon has negotiated a cable franchise that would authorize it to offer FiOS TV in Philadelphia.  The franchise is pending review and approval by the city council and mayor.

FiOS TV customers in the Philadelphia region now have access to a total of approximately 104 HD channels and get to see some of their favorite channels in HD, including FX, The Biography Channel and Superstation WGN HD.

For those who want the best in news, Verizon has added Fox Business Network and Fox News Channel in HD.  Viewers who watch home-and-leisure programming can now enjoy QVC, the Home Shopping Network, the Travel Channel and Planet Green, while kids and teens can enjoy their favorite shows on the Disney Channel, Toon Disney and ABC Family - all in HD.

In addition, movie buffs now can get MGM HD, Encore HD and the Hallmark Movie Channel in HD. 

Verizon also has launched two new HD sports channels: ESPNews HD, a 24-hour sports news television station, and Speed HD, the nation's first cable television network dedicated to motor sports, with content that covers everything from racing to restoration to motorcycles, movies and more.

In addition to the new HD content, Verizon has launched 13 new standard-definition channels in the region, including Blue Highway TV, CBS College Sports Network, CCTV-9, Chiller, Current TV, Jus Punjabi, RFD TV, SET Asia, Starz Indie, Starz Retro and Zee TV.

Consumers who sign up for FiOS TV between now and Dec. 31 are eligible to enjoy free access for 90 days to three premium entertainment packages - Cinemax, HBO and FiOS TV's Movie Package, which features Showtime, Starz, The Movie Channel, Encore, Sundance Channel and IFC.  This package includes 40 HD premium channels as well as more than 9,000 free VOD titles per month.

For more information on FiOS TV, visit www.verizon.com/fiostv.  Consumers can also call their local Verizon sales office or 888-438-3467.

Verizon's FiOS TV service offers a broad collection of all-digital programming, with more than 500 total channels and 11,000 video-on-demand titles.  The VOD library also includes 1,000 HD titles.  FiOS TV is currently available to 8.2 million homes in 14 states. 

[A complete channel lineup can be found online at http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm.]