Universal Sports Network Rings Up Verizon FiOS Rollouts

Continuing its affiliate expansion, Universal Sports Network has added Verizon FiOS to its distribution roster.

The Olympic, endurance and adventure sports network is now available to Verizon FiOS subscribers across the country, via the telco’s sports tier. In addition, the network’s fare is available on Verizon's video-on-demand platform. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Universal Sports HD is available to all Verizon FiOS subscribers, including those residing in the New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia DMAs, on channel 596. The Sports Pass package includes over a dozen channels, and is available for $9.99 per month.  FiOS TV Ultimate customers have access to Sports Pass at no additional charge.

The rollout on FiOS systems follows Universal Sports’ recent launches on sports tiers offered by Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable. Those operators are also making the network’s content accessible through their TV Everywhere platforms.

In the coming months, customers will be able to watch Universal Sports Network on a variety of portable devices outside the home, according to network officials.

“Verizon FiOS provides another alternative to watch Universal Sports to our fans whose providers have not yet added our network to their channel lineups,” said Scott Brown, president of Universal Sports, in announcing the launch. “We wish to welcome Verizon FiOS customers to our family, and look forward to delivering the content they have been craving.”

Noted Ryan Gillette, director, video content strategy and acquisition for Verizon: “We’re pleased that Verizon FiOS customers are now able to enjoy the world class events Universal Sports Network brings to our sports offering. We look forward to offering the content beyond the TV to a variety of portable devices used by our customers in the near future.”