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Verizon celebrates two years of FiOS in New York
Merely months after Verizon dusted off the party hats to celebrate two years of FiOS nationwide, it's throwing an extra special party for the Empire State. As of today, FiOS TV has been available in at least some portions of New York for two whole years, and including the new areas that VZW reached out to last month, over 145 communities can now tap into its fiber-based TV service. Now, watch as the vast majority of the nation forces a grin and congratulates you on having something that we don't.
MGM HD coming to Verizon's FiOS TV in late 2008
Some 14 months after Poland curiously became the first locale to lock down MGM HD, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios is finally announcing a deal to get its channel on Verizon's own fiber-based television service. Starting sometime in "late 2008," FiOS TV subscribers in California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia (that's all of 'em, by the way) will be able to enjoy the channel in 1080i. Aside from rafts of movies, viewers can also expect "exclusive behind the scenes coverage of red carpet events, sneak peeks at new films in production, seasonal promotions and world premieres of newly re-mastered hits from the MGM library." Now, just how "late" are we talking, exactly?[Via AVSForum]
48000 more Portland-area homes getting FiOS services
Right before our very eyes, Portland, Oregon is quickly becoming a mecca of all things HD (not really, but you get the idea). Not even a full month after we learned that FiOS TV was coming to the area and its local NBC affiliate started newscasting in high-def, Verizon has now announced that some 48,000 more homes in the Portland Metro area will soon have access to FiOS. You heard right -- hordes of domiciles in the communities of Beaverton, Sunnyside / Damascus, McMinnville, Forest Grove, Gresham, Tigard, Tualatin and Camas / Washougal can look forward to receiving access to FiOS TV and high-speed internet. No word on a launch date for any of the aforementioned locales, but hold tight, VZW is blazing a path to those areas as we speak.
Comcast SportsNet Northwest hits Oregon FiOS TV, HD coming soon
Although FiOS TV just landed in Oregon last month, early adopters in the area will be thrilled to know that Comcast SportsNet Northwest will now be included in the lineup. More specifically, users in the "greater Portland area" will have access to the aforementioned station on channel 66 within the Premier programming package. Regrettably, those Trail Blazers, Ducks, Beavers and Huskies won't be comin' atcha in high-definition until "later this year," but hey, at least you've got something to look forward to, right?[Image courtesy of AP / Bill Kostroun]
Verizon's FiOS TV headed to Dover, Delaware
Residents of Delaware's capital city can bust out the balloons and party hats, as it looks as if Verizon's FiOS TV is nearly ready to launch in your neck of the woods. Just yesterday, the City Council voted unanimously to authorize Verizon to offer its fiber-based television service in Dover. Thanks to the vote, it now joins Arden, Ardencroft, Ardentown, Bellefonte, Cheswold, Delaware City, Leipsic, Little Creek, Middletown, Newark, Odessa and Townsend as locales in The First State that have approved Verizon's franchise agreement. There's no telling when the next step (you know, actually offering service) will be taken, but rest assured, you're much, much closer today than you were just last week.
Interactive Media Guide hits more FiOS TV areas
Nearly half a year after Verizon began rolling out its Interactive Media Guide to select subscribers, the carrier is finally announcing that a new batch of customers can now look forward to receiving it. Reportedly, "a number" of users in New York, California, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia can now take advantage of the free IMG, and while specifics weren't doled out, we are told that it'll be making its way to other states "soon." On another note, Ocean State residents can thank the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, as it has just given VZW approval to start offering service in those zones we heard about last month. Oh, and for outcasts in Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, East Providence, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield and Woonsocket, rest assured that Verizon is already seeking a license for your neck of the woods.Read - IMG comes to more statesRead - Verizon FiOS TV green-lit in more of Rhode Island
Verizon aims to offer FiOS TV to one million California homes in 2008
While AT&T is aiming for one million total U-Verse subscribers by the time 2008 comes to a close, Verizon is planning to give an equal amount of Californians access to its FiOS TV service before '09. Reportedly, the fiber-based television service is already available to some 500,000 households in The Golden State, which includes recent additions in Southern California (Downey, Santa Fe Springs, La Mirada and Norwalk to be precise). Notably, the carrier has also just won approval from the Public Utilities Commission to "offer the service in 34 more California communities as construction of the fiber-optic network proceeds." C'mon U-verse -- what's the holdup, anyway?
FiOS TV celebrates one year, comes to more homes in New Jersey
Just as CES was hitting full swing here in Vegas, Verizon cranked up a party of its own in order to commemorate one year of FiOS TV in the Garden State. A dozen months back, the service initially launched in around 100 New Jersey communities, and as of today, FiOS TV touches some 270 communities in 15 counties. Thankfully, however, VZW actually invited quite a few individuals to join in the festivities -- namely residents in 11 Gloucester County communities, which can now order up FiOS TV in their neck of the woods. Also of note, customers in the area who sign up for the fiber-based television service by February 3rd (and have everything installed by March 1st) can look forward to receiving a free 19-inch Magnavox LCD HDTV. Not exactly a KURO or anything, but hey, gratis is gratis.Read - Verizon celebrates one year of FiOS TV in New JerseyRead - Verizon expands FiOS TV in New Jersey
FiOS TV flipped on in Rowley, Massachusetts
Sure, it's a bit late to enjoy over your holiday break, but merely weeks after we first heard that Verizon's FiOS TV was headed to Rowley, Massachusetts, the service is available to order. You heard right, folks -- if you happen to reside in one of the 1,800 or so Rowley-area homes that VZW saw fit to cover, you can phone up the provider now and get hooked up. Meanwhile, we'll just twiddle our thumbs and pretend to not be envious of your newfound option.
Verizon gifts more of New York with FiOS TV access
We know, it's not like outsiders feel that New York really needs any more FiOS TV, but nevertheless, the Empire State is getting additional access courtesy of Verizon. Reportedly, the operator has just received authorization to offer FiOS TV service to residents of the Westchester County villages of Sleepy Hollow and Briarcliff Manor, the town of Ossining and a dozen villages on the North Shore of Long Island. More specifically, denizens in Great Neck Estates, Great Neck Plaza, Kensington, Lake Success, Munsey Park, North Hills, Plandome, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock and Thomaston can start getting their hopes up, as all that has to happen now is a review by the New York State Public Service Commission. Total number of NY communities now at least eligible for FiOS TV? 92.Read - FiOS TV coming to more of New YorkRead - FiOS TV coming to even more of New York
Rhode Island gets a lot more FiOS TV
Wondering what Verizon was going to get you for the holidays? If you find yourself a resident of the Ocean State, the answer could be FiOS TV access. Reportedly, the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carries granted Verizon licenses just this week to operate cable TV services in Charlestown, Cranston, Foster, Hopkinton, Johnston, Narragansett, North Providence, Providence, Richmond, Scituate, South Kingstown and Westerly. Apparently, Verizon had secured a license to operate in Service Area 6 earlier this year, but just now got approval on Areas 2, 3 and 8 covering the locales mentioned above. At first, just 29-percent of households in these communities will be able to get hooked up with FiOS TV, but if you aren't one of the fortunate ones when installations begin in "just a few weeks," hold VZW to its promise of "continued expansion in the coming year."
Verizon's FiOS TV coming soon to Rowley, Massachusetts
As much of the country waits with bated breath, New England has claimed yet another FiOS TV hotspot -- well, almost. Reportedly, the Board of Selectmen in Rowley, Massachusetts granted a cable franchise to Verizon this past Monday, which essentially paves the way for some 1,800 more households in the Bay State to soon receive another option for television delivery. The agreement ensures that the number of Massachusetts communities in which the fiber-based service is available in will grow to 63, but unfortunately, there's no definitive word on when the inhabitants of Rowley will be able to take VZW up on its offers.
Verizon offering FiOS TV to even more New Yorkers
Envious yet? Within the past two months, Verizon has expanded its FiOS TV coverage in New York not once, not even twice, but three times. This go 'round, the Long Island communities of Malverne, Stewart Manor, Centre Island, East Williston and the Village of The Branch are getting blessed along with the villages of Pelham Manor and Larchmont, the town of Mamaroneck and the city of Rye. According to the company, the service is already available in more than 145 NY communities, and it certainly doesn't look like it'll be slowing down the rollout rampage anytime soon.
Verizon's FiOS TV comes to 3500 homes in Chesapeake, Virginia
Just as soon as AT&T announces that it's bringing U-verse to yet another region, Verizon fires back by trumpeting expansions of its own. The latest on the list is Chesapeake, Virginia, which becomes the newest locale to gain access to Verizon's fiber-based TV service. Apparently, installations are slated to begin anytime, and while we do know that some 3,500 households in a myriad communities will soon be eligible to receive FiOS TV, the actual list is far too long for this space. 'Course, that's why you'll be heading past the break hoping and praying to see your area listed.
Verizon aims to compete with cable in Newburgh, New York
It's not like New York is hurtin' for FiOS TV or anything, but the latest news involving the two revolves around a bit more than just expansion of service. Just under two months after the FCC approved a rule that would ban exclusive agreements that cable television operators have with apartment buildings, the New York Public Service Commission has issued an order "confirming Verizon's video franchise with the town." Reportedly, such an order will enable consumers in the Orange County town of Newburgh to have "a real choice for their cable television service" when FiOS TV arrives sometime next year. Additionally, Verizon has secured video franchises in 75 other NY communities, all of which are conveniently listed in the read link below.
Massachusetts gets even more FiOS TV coverage
If you've got a hankerin' for FiOS TV, and you've come to grips with the reality that it's not headed your way in the foreseeable future, you should seriously check out the open houses in Massachusetts. As if The Bay State really needed any more love from Verizon (okay, so we're envious), consumers in Waltham and Sherborn now have access to its fiber-optic television service. The new additions have made FiOS TV available to some 20,000 more households, and it bumps the amount of Massachusetts communities it's available in to 60. Oh, and just in case it wasn't apparent -- Verizon is "currently negotiating with several other communities in [the state] to obtain additional franchises."
Verizon's FiOS TV Game Extra gets tested, reviewed
Midway through last month, Verizon announced that subscribers of both FiOS TV and FiOS broadband would have the ability to watch free online broadcasts of multiple camera angles from remaining NFL Network games, and while we knew the feeds wouldn't be delivered in HD, it sounded like the perfect complement to watching the game on your big screen. In reality, however, the service proved a bit of a letdown according to the AP, but of course, we'd bet opinions would vary widely depending on one's fanhood. Users can flip (though not instantaneously) between a trio of angles, and while the content was laggy at times, it seemed at least decently reliable overall. The biggest dig on the service was its less-than-enthralling nature; put simply, you aren't guaranteed to see the "most exciting" shots, so fixing your eyes on the online extras may actually be less entertaining than the high-definition feed lighting up your set. Nevertheless, we're glad to see bonuses such as this being offered up, but we'd highly recommend checking out the read link before you switch services just for Game Extra.
Verizon's FiOS TV finally rolls into Pittsburgh
Nearly a year after Pittsburgh residents groaned as they watched FiOS invade Philadelphia, those in the Steel City can finally join in on the fun. As of today, Verizon's fiber-based television service is alive and well for thousands of southwestern Pennsylvania inhabitants. Reportedly, some 60,000 households in parts of 14 communities can now opt for FiOS TV, and for those not invited to the bash just yet, VZW also stated that it expected the service to expand to dozens more communities within the next several months. Moreover, folks that take the plunge can bundle up FiOS TV with a number of other Verizon offerings should they choose, and if you're overly curious to know precisely what areas FiOS is now ready for, check out the full list after the break.[Via MultichannelNews]
Verizon fesses up, officially adds Discovery HD to FiOS
Just yesterday we noticed that Verizon had quietly slipped Discovery Channel HD onto its FiOS TV lineup in at least three major markets, and today the firm has fessed up and proven that we're not just losing our minds. "Starting" today, VZW has added Discovery HD to FiOS TV "in all markets" on channel 846, and just in case that wasn't riveting enough, it also reaffirmed its plan to deliver HD simulcasts of Discovery Communications' other popular networks -- TLC, Animal Planet and The Science Channel -- sometime in 2008. The more the merrier, we say.
Verizon celebrates two years of FiOS
For some (like the folks who can't get it yet), it may not seem like Verizon's FiOS has actually been around for two whole years, but indeed it has. This month marks the two year anniversary of the fiber-based service, and Verizon is taking time out to boast a bit. Reportedly, "more than 25-percent of the customers [in its first market, Texas] who could subscribe to FiOS TV have done so," and as of June 30, 2007, Verizon FiOS TV "had 515,000 subscribers and was available to more than 3.9-million households in 12 states." 'Course, you could certainly throw a much larger party if nearly four-fifths of the states in our country weren't left out, but hopefully a few more of us will be included for the next bash.[Via TVOver]
