Italian Channel Gains FiOS TV Coverage

Mediaset Italia, the 24-hour Italian-language news, sports and entertainment channel, has launched to Verizon Communications FiOS TV customers in 12 states and the District of Columbia.

Mediaset offers a variety of Italian-language programming from some of Italy’s top networks like Canale 5, Italia 1 and Retequatro, including news, dramas, comedies and thriller series as well as variety and games shows, entertainment events, seasonal sports coverage and Italian films to appeal to the more than 16 million Italians living in the United States. 

"We could not be more excited to partner with Verizon to offer our channel to millions of new households" said Mediaset head of international sales Giorgio Giovetti in a statement. "Italian Americans from Long Island to Los Angeles are cheering."

Customers can subscribe to Mediaset Italia (available on channel 1791) for $16.99 per month for a two channel Italian package including Rai Italia, available on Channel 1790.  For customer convenience, both Italian channels are next to each other in the new channel line-up, with Rai Italia now available on Channel 1790.

For a limited time, FiOS is offering a free preview of the channel to all customers with a digital set-top box from Oct. 20-27.

"Mediaset Italia is the perfect addition to our international content offerings on FiOS," said Verizon vice president for content acquisition Terry Denson in a statement.  "Number one meets number one.  Italian Americans in our markets can now have the best of both TV worlds."