FiOS TV Hits Washington State With 98 HD Channels
Verizon Launches in Puget Sound Area, Taking on Comcast
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 9/9/2008 9:04:00 AM
Verizon Communications has flipped on FiOS TV in the Evergreen State, where it’s bringing a lineup of 98 high-definition channels to compete with the area’s incumbent cable operator, Comcast.
The telco announced Tuesday that more than 80,000 households in Washington State can now order FiOS TV, as well as a triple-play bundle starting at $99.99 a month. The service is available in parts of Bothell, Brier, Everett, Edmonds, Kenmore, Lynnwood, Woodinville, Woodway and Snohomish counties.
Comcast offers 35 HD channels in the Puget Sound area, according to its Web site.
Verizon in the past few months has secured local franchise agreements with other local city and county councils—including Marysville, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo and Redmond—and said it is negotiating further agreements in the state.
Verizon offers its FiOS Internet service in parts of 16 states, and Washington becomes the 14th state to have FiOS TV. The telco last quarter reported having 1.4 million FiOS TV subscribers across its footprint.
Until Oct. 4, Verizon is offering new customers a sign-up incentive of their choice of a year’s free use of either an HD DVR or an HD Home Media DVR.
