Verizon FiOS1 to Exclusively Broadcast Debates in Key Political Races in New Jersey and Long Island

Verizon FiOS TV subscribers on Long Island and in northern New Jersey will get a front-row seat to a host of local political debates beginning this week.

FiOS1 - Verizon FiOS TV's all-news and community station - will provide exclusive live broadcasts of the debates and provide commentary and analysis after each debate.

The schedule is as follows:

• Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. -- FiOS1 New Jersey, in partnership with New Jersey 101.5 Radio, will broadcast the debate between U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and his Republican challenger, state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos.

• Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. -- FiOS1 Long Island will air the debate between Rep. Tim Bishop, a Democrat, and his Republican opponent, Randy Altschuler, who are in a hotly contested race to represent the 1st Congressional District on Long Island.  FiOS1 news political analyst Richard French will moderate the debate, and FiOS1 news anchor Mike Stevens will be a panelist.
• Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. -- FiOS1 New Jersey will broadcast the debate between Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat who represents the 9th Congressional District, and his Republican opponent, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.  FiOS1 will team with its partner, the Bergen County newspaper The Record, to provide post-debate comments and analysis.  French will again moderate.
• Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. -- FiOS1 New Jersey will air the debate between Democrat John Arvanites and Republican Rodney Frelinghuysen, who are vying to represent New Jersey's 19th Congressional District.  FiOS1 and The Record again will provide comments and analysis.

In addition, after each of the presidential and vice presidential debates - which also will be aired on the FiOS1 channels - French and other political observers will analyze and provide commentary and recaps.

At the next presidential debate at Long Island's Hofstra University on Oct. 16, FiOS1 will have full comprehensive coverage, including reporters inside the spin room at Hofstra's David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 94 million retail customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 188,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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