Verizon Wireless Bulks Up Mobile VOD Service
V CAST Service Expanded Through Distribution Deals With Network Partners
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 4/1/2008 5:30:00 PM
Verizon Wireless packed more video into its on-demand V CAST Video service, announcing Tuesday expanded or new distribution deals with more than a dozen partners including MTV Networks, CNN, ABC, NBC, Si TV and Condé Nast Publications.
The wireless carrier will offer two new MTVN channels: GameTrailers and The N. The GameTrailers channel offers video-game trailers, reviews, interviews and event news, while The N channel features clips from teen shows, including Degrassi, South of Nowhere and Instant Star.
"We create mobile video for nearly every demographic--from kids to adults and everywhere in between--and our fans can now access nearly all of that content on Verizon Wireless handsets," MTVN executive vice president of digital distribution and business development Greg Clayman said, in a statement.
Other MTVN channels already carried on V CAST Video include MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, Logo, Spike, MTV Tr3s and Atom Films. In 2007, MTVN streamed more than 26 million on-demand videos to V CAST Video customers.
In addition, Verizon Wireless announced the launch of Election 08 channel, featuring news, commentary and satirical bits about the U.S. presidential campaign from CNN, ABC News Now, Comedy Central, MTV, NBC News, the Onion News Network, PBS, Si TV and others.
Additional content partners the carrier announced Tuesday:
--News Over Wireless, a company delivers local content formatted for mobile phones from more than 80 TV stations. The company will provide the My Local TV News video channel with more than 1,000 local news and sports videos from across the country.
--Condé Nast Publications, which will provide a CondeNet channel with video from Style.com, Epicurious.com, Men.Style.com, Concierge.com, and Wired.com.
--TMZ TV, a celebrity and gossip video program based on the entertainment news Web site TMZ.com, which is a joint venture of Warner Bros. Television Group and AOL.
--FunnyorDie.com, a site dedicated to short-form comedy best known for “The Landlord” sketch featuring Will Ferrell.
--Saavn, a distributor of South Asian content, which is providing the Bollywood Music by Saavn video channel.
V CAST costs $3.00 for 24-hour use or $15 per month, which also includes access to Verizon Wireless’ ESPN MVP service. In addition, Verizon Wireless sells V CAST Mobile TV, a group of eight channels offered through Qualcomm’s MediaFLO USA, for $13 to $25 extra per month.
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