Telco TV

U-verse Counters Netflix With Movie VOD Package

AT&T Also Debuts Apps for Viewing Personal Photos and Videos on TV
By: Todd Spangler Jan 7 2013 - 1:45pm
AT&T Also Debuts Apps for Viewing Personal Photos and Videos on TV

AT&T is launching U-verse Screen Pack, a $5 monthly subscription video-on-demand for watching unlimited movies on TV and other devices, aiming to provide an alternative to Netflix, Redbox Instant by Verizon and other over-the-top video services.

The telco also introduced two new U-verse TV apps, available for no extra charge: PacketVideo’s Twonky Beam for accessing personal videos on TV, and Pix & Flix for viewing photos.

AT&T Adds Starz's TV Everywhere Constellation

Telco First Affiliate to Launch 'MoviePlex Play' Service for Subscribers
By: Todd Spangler Dec 17 2012 - 11:24am
Telco First Affiliate to Launch 'MoviePlex Play' Service for Subscribers

AT&T launched Starz Entertainment’s triple play of authenticated online and mobile content services available to U-verse TV subscribers who take Starz, Encore and MoviePlex premium channels, as Starz pushes to catch up to rival HBO on the TV Everywhere front.

The telco is offering the three services -- Starz Play, Encore Play and MoviePlex Play -- for no additional monthly charge to subscribers. The AT&T U-verse TV launch of MoviePlex Play is Starz Entertainment's first for the authenticated online premium service.

Verizon, Redbox Pick Avail-TVN for VOD Movie Services

Avail-TVN’s ViewNow Provides Access in Multiple Formast for Multiscreen Devices
By: Todd Spangler Dec 17 2012 - 10:01am
Avail-TVN’s ViewNow Provides Access in Multiple Formast for Multiscreen Devices

Avail-TVN has inked two initial customers for its subscription video-on-demand movie service, Verizon Communications’ FiOS and the Redbox Instant by Verizon joint venture between the telco and Coinstar.

The Avail-TVN ViewNow service offers a catalog of thousands of hours of movie content that can be delivered in MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 formats, as well as in a range of adaptive bit-rate (ABR) profiles for such devices as PCs and Apple iOS smartphones and tablets. The service includes download rights on a large number of titles.

FiOS Joins NFL Network's TV Everywhere Huddle

Verizon TV Customers Gain Online Access to Thursday Night Football, RedZone
By: Todd Spangler Dec 13 2012 - 7:35pm
Verizon TV Customers Gain Online Access to Thursday Night Football, RedZone

Verizon Communications’ FiOS TV is the third distributor to ink a pact with NFL Network to provide access to live programming online -- including Thursday Night Football games and the Sunday RedZone channel -- along with Cox Communications and Cablevision Systems.

Verizon Transfers $7.5B in Pension Obligations to Prudential

Federal Judge Denies Retirees’ Request to Block Telco Plan
By: Todd Spangler Dec 10 2012 - 12:36pm
Federal Judge Denies Retirees’ Request to Block Telco Plan

Verizon Communications on Monday completed the purchase a single premium group annuity contract from the Prudential Insurance Company of America for $7.5 billion in pension liabilities, after a federal judge last week denied a request by Verizon retirees to block transaction.

Verizon Retirees Sue Telco Over Plan to Spin Off Pensions to Prudential

Company Says Lawsuit Is Without Merit, Claims Monthly Benefits Will Remain Unchanged
By: Todd Spangler Nov 29 2012 - 3:56pm
Company Says Lawsuit Is Without Merit, Claims Monthly Benefits Will Remain Unchanged

An association representing Verizon Communications management retirees has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to halt the telco’s plan to transfer 41,000 employee pension accounts with assets totaling some $7.5 billion to Prudential. The telco said the suit is without merit.

Verizon Settlement Pushes TiVo Into the Black

DVR Company Touts Cable Op Wins With Fifth Straight Quarter of Subscriber Gains
By: Todd Spangler Nov 28 2012 - 9:09pm
DVR Company Touts Cable Op Wins With Fifth Straight Quarter of Subscriber Gains

TiVo swung to a net profit of $59 million for the quarter ended Oct. 31 thanks to the patent-infringement settlement it reached in the period with Verizon Communications, while the DVR company said it anticipates a turning in a net loss for the current quarter.

FiOS TV's Multiscreen Lineup Diverges

Telco Provides 75 Live Channels via LG Smart TVs and iPad, But Only 26 to Xbox and Samsung TVs
By: Todd Spangler Nov 28 2012 - 3:56pm
Telco Provides 75 Live Channels via LG Smart TVs and iPad, But Only 26 to Xbox and Samsung TVs

Verizon Communications is streaming up to 75 live TV channels to FiOS TV and Internet subscribers on LG Electronics’ Internet-connected TVs and Apple iPad tablets -- but the telco still offers just 26 through Microsoft Xbox 360 consoles and Samsung Smart TVs.

'TV Everywhere' Rights Are Part of NBC-Verizon Carriage Pact

Multiyear Deal Covers TV Stations, Cable Nets, VOD, Web
By: John Eggerton Nov 26 2012 - 4:18pm
Multiyear Deal Covers TV Stations, Cable Nets, VOD, Web

NBCUniversal has struck a program carriage deal with Verizon FiOS that includes rights to over-the-top delivery to multiple screens.

The wide-ranging deal, announced Monday, includes retransmission-consent for NBC and Telemundo TV stations,  as well as its renewal for its portfolio of cable networks, including USA, E!, Bravo Media, CNBC, MSNBC,NBC Sports Network, Oxygen Media, Syfy, Telemundo Media and Golf Channel. TV Everywhere right are also part of the deal, which means Verizon can make that programming available for multiplatform viewing by authenticated subs.

FiOS Tucks Into Tablet TV

Verizon Makes 75 Live Channels Available Through iPad App, But No Local Stations
By: Todd Spangler Nov 24 2012 - 10:09am
Verizon Makes 75 Live Channels Available Through iPad App, But No Local Stations

Verizon Communications is making 75 live networks available through its updated app for iPad tablets for FiOS TV and Internet customers -- but unlike services from some of its cable competitors, the telco’s tablet TV lineup currently lacks local channels.

The telco originally demonstrated live TV networks streaming to an iPad in mid-2010 and expected to roll out the capability in 2011.

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