Verizon Adds PBS to FiOS TV
Verizon is sweetening the deal for subscribers to its fledgling fiber-optic TV service with the addition of programs from public broadcasting outlets that will include high-definition shows and multicast educational offerings.
The communications company's agreement with the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) means that each FiOS TV system will carry the digital signal of up to three local public television stations within the system's service area -- in addition to any other noncommercial station that does not duplicate programming in the market.
It also includes HDTV programs and new public TV digital multicasts such as "PBS Kids Go!," "Viva TV" aimed at Hispanics, and the "World" and "Create" educational shows.
"Public television offers a treasure trove of quality programs that appeal to a broad array of viewers. It is a significant addition to the FiOS service," said Verizon spokesperson David Fish. "It's also an example of what we can offer to consumers as franchise approvals are obtained."
FiOS TV is emerging as a competitor to cable and satellite systems, with Verizon's fiber network delivering some 400 all-digital TV channels with the capacity of transmitting high-definition shows. The service also can handle broadband Internet connections and is currently available in parts of New York, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Texas, and Virginia.
The Verizon deal with APTS and PBS was announced just as the Federal Communications Commission was poised to vote on requiring cable TV companies to carry all multicast channels as the industry migrates from analog to digital.
Cable companies contend that they are required to offer only the primary channels from local stations, and face the prospect of building a new platform that can handle all of the programs added by local stations, such as traffic and weather multicasts.
"Verizon continues to extend the FiOS portfolio, with this announcement serving notice that their network can handle multicasting," said Patti Reali, a research director at Gartner.
Verizon's Fish noted that fiber-optic TV offers more choice to consumers, and provides images and sound with much higher quality than cable or satellite offerings. "What we need now is for Congress to approve pending legislation that will streamline the time-consuming franchise-approval process," he said.
Verizon is sweetening the deal for subscribers to its fledgling fiber-optic TV service with the addition of programs from public broadcasting outlets that will include high-definition shows and multicast educational offerings.
The communications company's agreement with the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) means that each FiOS TV system will carry the digital signal of up to three local public television stations within the system's service area -- in addition to any other noncommercial station that does not duplicate programming in the market.
It also includes HDTV programs and new public TV digital multicasts such as "PBS Kids Go!," "Viva TV" aimed at Hispanics, and the "World" and "Create" educational shows.
"Public television offers a treasure trove of quality programs that appeal to a broad array of viewers. It is a significant addition to the FiOS service," said Verizon spokesperson David Fish. "It's also an example of what we can offer to consumers as franchise approvals are obtained."
FiOS TV is emerging as a competitor to cable and satellite systems, with Verizon's fiber network delivering some 400 all-digital TV channels with the capacity of transmitting high-definition shows. The service also can handle broadband Internet connections and is currently available in parts of New York, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Texas, and Virginia.
The Verizon deal with APTS and PBS was announced just as the Federal Communications Commission was poised to vote on requiring cable TV companies to carry all multicast channels as the industry migrates from analog to digital.
Cable companies contend that they are required to offer only the primary channels from local stations, and face the prospect of building a new platform that can handle all of the programs added by local stations, such as traffic and weather multicasts.
"Verizon continues to extend the FiOS portfolio, with this announcement serving notice that their network can handle multicasting," said Patti Reali, a research director at Gartner.
Verizon's Fish noted that fiber-optic TV offers more choice to consumers, and provides images and sound with much higher quality than cable or satellite offerings. "What we need now is for Congress to approve pending legislation that will streamline the time-consuming franchise-approval process," he said.
