FIOS to Increase HD Channels in 2008

[rhhilgen]

Good news - as long as Verizon's not using SD to add all of these channels ...

News Release

Verizon Plans Fivefold Increase in HD Channels on FiOS TV in 2008

Part of a Major Expansion of High-Definition and Standard-Definition Programming on Verizon's Video Network

More Sports and Multicultural Content on the Way

November 1, 2007

Media Contact:

Sharon Cohen-Hagar, 908-559-3470

NEW YORK - Verizon FiOS TV customers will get even more of the high-definition content they love as Verizon today announced plans for a fivefold increase in the number of HD channels, to 150 channels, as well as plans for offering additional HD content through FiOS TV's video-on-demand service. Verizon is also planning a major expansion of sports and multicultural programming on FiOS TV in 2008.

"Once more, Verizon leads the way," said Shawn Strickland, vice president - video solutions. "We launched FiOS TV in 2005 with more HD than most cable and satellite companies, and we know that our HD customers expect us to continue that lead. We're planning a major initiative in 2008 that will give our customers an unprecedented choice of HD and other programming."

Verizon customers already enjoy the most amazing picture quality available over the nation's most advanced digital all-fiber optic network.

In the spring of 2008, Verizon will begin expanding its HD lineup as well as the sports and multicultural program offerings on FiOS TV. Verizon initially will double the current number of HD channels, on a market-by-market basis, to more than 60, including additional sports channels. Verizon expects to have more than 150 HD channels by year-end 2008 as it continues to add to its HD lineup and programmers launch new channels. The company also will add standard-definition sports, multicultural and other programming during the year.

True HD Experience

Because Verizon offers FiOS TV on its fiber-to-the-home network, Verizon has the capacity to provide HD programming without compressing the signal it receives from the programmers.

"FiOS TV delivers a true HD experience," Strickland said. "Unlike some other service providers, Verizon doesn't compromise quality by compressing programming into limited bandwidth. Our fiber-optic network has the capacity to deliver programming the way programmers intended it to be seen."

In addition to the expanded HD channel lineup, Verizon will offer HD programming through its industry-leading video-on-demand library, which already totals more than 10,000 titles. Before the end of 2007, Verizon expects to introduce a limited number of HD on-demand titles, which will increase to more than 1,000 HD titles in 2008.

During 2008, Verizon also will expand the reach of HD programming throughout the home. Through enhancements to the Verizon-exclusive Home Media DVR service, customers will be able to record HD shows and watch them from any room in the house with an HDTV and an HD set-top box.

About FiOS TV

During the third quarter of 2007, from June through September, 202,000 new customers chose FiOS TV from Verizon; at the end of the quarter, Verizon had 717,000 FiOS TV customers in 12 states. The service was available for sale to 4.7 million premises, and penetration averaged 15.2 percent across all markets. Verizon FiOS TV currently offers the following HD national channels: TNT HD, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, NFL Network HD, HD Net, HD Net Movies, Universal HD, Discovery HD Theater, Wealth TV HD, National Geographic Channel HD, MHD, Food Network HD, HGTV HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD and A&E HD. It also offers local broadcast channels in high definition and HD premium channels, including HBO HD, Cinemax HD, Showtime HD, TMC HD and Starz HD.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 63.7 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion.

[aaronwt]

How can they be leading the way when DirecTV is already starting to offer many HD channels? I welcome the new HD channels from FIOS but I think they should have been prepared to have the doubling of channels this fall instead of next Spring.
I'm committed to FIOS for two years now since I signed a two year agreement with them. I'm waiting for the FIOS tech right now to switch over my 3 boxes on Comcast to FIOS. I just hope I don't have any problems with them adding the extra cables cards to my account. I already have 4 plus the FIOS HD STB.

[andyf]

Well on Comcast I have all those HD channels except Wealth TV, but I have TBS HD and for the premiums I don't have TMC HD or Starz HD.

So that's not a whole bunch more than cable.

[MikeyB]

How can they be leading the way when DirecTV is already starting to offer many HD channels?

It's my understanding that D*TV does NOT have the HD channels they're advertising. Only that they are adding them. I believe that's a running joke as to when these mysterious HD channels will be available from D*TV.

[wierdo]

How can they be leading the way when DirecTV is already starting to offer many HD channels? I welcome the new HD channels from FIOS but I think they should have been prepared to have the doubling of channels this fall instead of next Spring.
I'm committed to FIOS for two years now since I signed a two year agreement with them. I'm waiting for the FIOS tech right now to switch over my 3 boxes on Comcast to FIOS. I just hope I don't have any problems with them adding the extra cables cards to my account. I already have 4 plus the FIOS HD STB.
Not that I'm defending their wording, but they may see themselves as the HD leader, so to speak, because they will be offering the same exact HD stream that is available to them. No transcoding to MPEG-4, rate shaping, or any other molestation of the stream.

IMO, there is an advantage to that, in that transcoding to MPEG-4 will have some minor quality loss no matter what bitrate the provider uses in the final MPEG-4 stream.

Of course, there will be plenty of channels for which full rate pass through will be meaningless, because some programmers have decided to use MPEG-4 for new HD channels (HBO comes to mind). Most non-satellite providers will have to transcode those MPEG-4 streams to MPEG-2, since most cable boxes are incapable of decoding MPEG-4.

[dswallow]

It's my understanding that D*TV does NOT have the HD channels they're advertising. Only that they are adding them. I believe that's a running joke as to when these mysterious HD channels will be available from D*TV.
Your understanding is wrong; they've got 50 national HD channels plus various HD sports channels right now, PLUS a handful of HD channels remaining that have been announced for later this year or early next.

Of course many of these channels have no or very little real HD content yet, but you gotta start somewhere; now that the "pipe" is there, the channels can work on getting more of their programming in HD.

[bkdtv]

Look for the new Discovery HD (Animal Planet, Discovery Science, etc) channels on FiOS before the end of the month.

[MikeyB]

Your understanding is wrong; they've got 50 national HD channels plus various HD sports channels right now, PLUS a handful of HD channels remaining that have been announced for later this year or early next.

Of course many of these channels have no or very little real HD content yet, but you gotta start somewhere; now that the "pipe" is there, the channels can work on getting more of their programming in HD.

I was pulling from memory, a post in another thread about D*TV's lack of HD. I just had the specifics off a bit. I didn't realize it was the programming itself.

[MikeyB]

Look for the new Discovery HD (Animal Planet, Discovery Science, etc) channels on FiOS before the end of the month.

I want Mythbusters in HD!! I still love my FiOS service. Comcast sucks more every time I see a family member watching it. And don't get me started on their Internet service. DNS problems anyone?

[moyekj]

OT (sorry) but important. I'm curious for those with FIOS what your long term plans are for FIOS & S3/THD units? Is the FIOS switch to IPTV distribution model in 2-3 years still a concern? Or is that switch still far enough out that nobody is worrying about it yet? Is the backup to switch back to local cable company if/when it happens? Are you hoping by then Tivo will have a box that supports IPTV? I'm in AT&T country so FIOS probably won't be an option for me for a long time (if ever), but FIOS is rolling out in other areas nearby and a couple of friends have asked me about FIOS + THD and I hesitate to fully endorse it given this issue.

[acvthree]

Product annoucements that are 3 years out have a low rate of hitting their expected release dates or even seeing the light of day. There is a lot of infrastructure that Fios will have to update to get to this product up and rolling. So, the answer is, no it really doesn't bother me at all. It sounds like marketing. If it really does start to roll out, my contract with Fios will be long over. My contract with Tivo wouldn't matter since I can switch to other providers. I would class this way down on my list of technology concerns. By the time this rolls out we may be able to get all our TV from an unbox like service anyway. Three years is a VERY long time in technology.

Al

[jtrain]

Look for the new Discovery HD (Animal Planet, Discovery Science, etc) channels on FiOS before the end of the month.

FiOS TV is not yet released here in the Washington County area (suburb) of Portland, Oregon. I've been following channel listings (religiously) and at avsforums.com on the master thread for FiOS TV programming, the consensus is that '08 is the earliest new HD channels will be added due to the super head ends being upgraded appropriately...do you have any confirmation you can relay to the rest of us for these additional channels being added?

We're due to get service anytime between now and January '08. I can't wait for Comcastic to have some legit competition (without having to install a dish on the side of my house).

[David Platt]

jtrain, I talked to someone at Verizon a couple of weeks ago, and they said they're no allowed to take "pre-orders" for FiOS TV in Beaverton, which means it's anywhere from two weeks to two months out. I've been waiting for it myself!

[ncbagwell]

I wish we could get FIOS in the Raleigh, NC area. :(

[mr.unnatural]

I jumped ship from DirecTV back in February as soon as I found that FIOS was available in my area. At that time the HD channels promised by DirecTV were still vaporware and there was no guarantee if and when they would be available. At the time I signed up with FIOS I was told that their HD luineup would also be increased to carry many of the same channels that DTV would be offering. Since that time I have been unable to get any firm dates as to when this would be taking place. It's good to hear that Verizon has finally decided to let the cat out of the bag with a commitment on their part.

One of the reasons I switched was because DTV's local channel offerings in my area are downright pathetic and the HR20 was going through a lot of growing pains at the time. Couple that with having to engage in another 2-year commitment by getting new mpeg4 hardware and it was beginning to look like a crapshoot to stick with DirecTV. At least with FIOS I knew I would be getting outstanding picture quality and pretty much the same HD channels with the potential for many more. FIOS also carries 12 of the 14 local HD channels vs. the measly 4 channels that DTV provides. I actually record my locals in HD via OTA antenna and an HTPC and I get all 14 absolutely free. :D

[mappler]

OT (sorry) but important. I'm curious for those with FIOS what your long term plans are for FIOS & S3/THD units? Is the FIOS switch to IPTV distribution model in 2-3 years still a concern? Or is that switch still far enough out that nobody is worrying about it yet? Is the backup to switch back to local cable company if/when it happens? Are you hoping by then Tivo will have a box that supports IPTV? I'm in AT&T country so FIOS probably won't be an option for me for a long time (if ever), but FIOS is rolling out in other areas nearby and a couple of friends have asked me about FIOS + THD and I hesitate to fully endorse it given this issue.

My plan today is to keep the TivoHD and use whatever service gives me the best content for the price. In my area that means Cox, FIOS, or satellite. I've had Dish, D*, Cox, and FIOS service over the last 8 years at different times. If FIOS causes me to lose Tivo, and their DVR still stinks, I guess we'll be switching to Cox. Hopefully Tivo keeps pace with the changes. Over those 8 years, I've had several DVRs (Dish 7100/7200, DirecTivo, UltimateTV, DirecTivo series 2, FIOS DVR, TivoHD). The DVR is what has governed my satisfaction far more than the service itself. The Tivos and the UltimateTV (i hope that's not heresy here) were good. The others were bad and prompted a switch.

[Mars Rocket]

Well on Comcast I have all those HD channels except Wealth TV, but I have TBS HD and for the premiums I don't have TMC HD or Starz HD.

So that's not a whole bunch more than cable.

Really? You have HD Net, HD Net Movies, Food Network HD, HGTV HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD and A&E HD?

Comcast says they're not available to me.

[astrohip]

Really? You have HD Net, HD Net Movies, Food Network HD, HGTV HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD and A&E HD?

Comcast says they're not available to me.
Every area is different. Comcast in Houston offers all of these (not sure about Lifetime--don't know what it is?), plus about 15-20 more (HistHD, Mojo, etc etc).

[jtrain]

jtrain, I talked to someone at Verizon a couple of weeks ago, and they said they're no allowed to take "pre-orders" for FiOS TV in Beaverton, which means it's anywhere from two weeks to two months out. I've been waiting for it myself!

Thanks for that info!