Verizon FiOS TV: now with at least 100 HD channels in every market

by Darren Murph posted Jan 13th 2009 at 1:33PM

Verizon's FiOS TV may still be trailing DirecTV / DISH Network in total high-def channels, but the century mark ain't nothing to scoff at. The operator has recently announced that it's offering up at least 100 HD channels in every single one of its markets, though it didn't mention how soon it planned on infiltrating the vast majority of the country that is still operating sans FiOS TV service. We know it's important to look after your current customers, but the real revenue is in those consumers you've yet to hook. Keep those expansions coming, okay Verizon?

Filed under: Fiber, New content

Tags: expansion, fios, fios tv, FiosTv, lineup, verizon

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

MadMike @ Jan 13th 2009 1:57PM

I have FiOS and I can no longer get Versus in HD nor can I get FX in HD without purchasing an even MORE expensive package. WTF is that?

Highly Ranked

ne01 @ Jan 14th 2009 11:36AM

Mike,

I think I know what you're talking about 'cause I'm in the same boat, but if you haven't priced things out, you shouldn't assume that it's more expensive. FiOS has rearranged their packages, and now to get all HD channels (sans premiums and foreign language channels) you need the Extreme HD TV package. Until September/October, this package was unavailable and nearly all subscribers had the Premiere TV package which would give you all HD channels (sans premiums, foreign language, and some sports channels).

However, I have not talked to a single person who has moved from Premiere to Extreme HD and found that it was more expensive. In most cases (including mine) you actually end up saving anywhere from $5-$50/month. And a lot of times, faster internet is included too. So look into it more. You may be HAPPY that you "have to" switch packages.

Neutral

hey hey @ Jan 13th 2009 2:16PM

Keep expanding. I want 50Mbps.

Neutral

Wryker @ Jan 13th 2009 2:02PM

I WANT FIOS!!! WIll it EVER make it to Nashville, TN!?!?

Neutral

kcmurphy88 @ Jan 13th 2009 2:05PM

Will Fios ever make it to AT&T areas?

Neutral

dougxd @ Jan 13th 2009 2:14PM

Same here.......needed a new more pricier package to get my outdoor and sports related channels. F-ers! Also, the so-called 100+ channels in my market (Baltimore area) consist largely of simulcasted channels of the premiums like HBO, Showtime, etc. On top of that, they are also the HBOeast, HBOwest, HBO2east, HBO2west etc etc channels. They've also added HD channels that I've never seen or heard of before......even from the other service providers. Doesn't mean they suck, but you'd think vzn would try better to get the bigger named channels instead of these low production value mom-and-pop channels.

Where is MOJO HD? Anyone ever see the "Three Sheets" show?? To each his own, I suppose.

VERY disappointed with FIOS tv so far.

Neutral

Yankees368 @ Jan 13th 2009 2:58PM

What the hell are you talking about. I wish I had the HBO's in HD.

BTW, Mojo HD no longer exists.

Neutral

daaper @ Jan 13th 2009 3:07PM

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/12/01/mojo-hd-officially-passes-away-an-unceremonious-reminder/

Neutral

David S @ Jan 13th 2009 3:34PM

You're complaining about HBO simulcasts?

I would be more concerned about not having MASN HD (no Nationals or Orioles in HD for you), or no NBA TV in SD or HD. Comcast has a better sports lineup, but you'll have to live with compressed HD.

Neutral

Matt Stone @ Jan 13th 2009 3:49PM

I'm actually somewhat disappointed with FiOS TV as well. A lot of that is because I was used to Comcast, and I don't see significant gains in picture quality. The organization of ondemand on comcast and the way they split up each ondemand section by giving it its own channel is much nicer, but the FiOS box does seem pretty zippy even if the organization of everything sucks. I also really miss the ratings that were the info section for all movies in Comcast... Overall, I think if you are comfortable with your current service, it is definitely not worth switching. Re-learning the channel setup should be enough in itself to discourage you from switching...

Seriously though, unless you plan on utilizing the significantly higher upload speeds, switching is more of a pain than anything else. The other thing I don't get is - how does bringing fiber optic cables straight to my home help me if everything from the fiberoptic cable runs through a box and then has a standard coax output from which everything (tv and internet) is being split?

Neutral

GoatPervertor @ Jan 13th 2009 2:21PM

MOJO HD ceased operations well over a month ago dude.

Neutral

zioncat @ Jan 13th 2009 2:22PM

Who cares about HD channels when theres 50mbps.

Neutral

GundamWingEW @ Jan 13th 2009 2:28PM

Come to Ralegh, NC PRETTTY PLEASE!

Neutral

Alex @ Jan 13th 2009 2:31PM

BAY AREA PLEEEEEAAAASSSSEEE!!! All you FIOS people don't know how good you have it, try Comcrap for a week and tell me FIOS isn't a billion times better.

Neutral

J.Goodwin @ Jan 13th 2009 2:36PM

Actually, at the cost per account for installation, the money may well not be in the people they don't have yet. Current market development and expansion is much more important to reduce cost per user.

Neutral

mister5 @ Jan 14th 2009 3:13AM

Verizon was in my neighborhood working nights and weekends to install FIOS. 6 months ago and still no idea. I cancelled Directv when my DVR died and they wouldnt budge on the 2 year commitment ( I was a Directv customer for 6 years) I'm at Time Warner till FIOS goes live, and it's been bad. 4 service calls in a week and half to figure out the problem was the cable outside the house. Good times.

Neutral

Harley3k @ Jan 13th 2009 3:27PM

They've caught up somewhat, but I have my doubts if they will keep pace, or just milk these 100 channels for a long time.

Comedy Central HD just launched today...how long before I see it on FIOS?
Will it be before DirecTV / DISH subscribers get it?
That's the question in my mind.

Neutral

Rud Bobbins @ Jan 13th 2009 3:39PM

I had FIOS for about a year and had no issues with the actual service, until they started raising prices and changing plans. They actually REMOVED HD channels from my plan because they started a new pricing structure. And the new plan, of course, costed more.

Simple, polite phone calls for explanation were met with rude, disorganized customer service replies. Talk about passing the buck from one rep to another... Their customer service is REALLY bad.

So, I went back to Bright House. Much nicer, better customer service and no contract. I also dumped Verizon Wireless at the same time.

Good riddance, Verizon. Those wishing for FIOS should know what you are getting into.

Neutral

Rich L @ Jan 13th 2009 3:54PM

I'm not sure what you guys are talking about. Most people who went from the Premier package to the Extreme HD package more than doubled the number of HD channels, increased their internet speed from 5/2 to 20/5 and saved about $9/m.

Neutral

dougxd @ Jan 13th 2009 4:27PM

I didn't mean to just pick on one station and/or show. I guess my original point was more about how VZ is just stuffing the lineup with simulcasting on the premiums instead of adding actual additional programming in order to just meet the promised numbers.

My bitching and whining is relative to my service. If you have better service, good for you. If not, hopefully you will soon. I pay what I consider big bucks for this service and I hoped I'd get a better lineup than what's been provided so far. Yes, I can switch to Comcast, Dish, DTV, etc in my area if I wanted to. The problem is, I've been with them all, and based on the hype and marketing buzz around FIOS, I was expecting to see a better lineup than what is available to me at this time.

Neutral

Jason @ Jan 13th 2009 4:37PM

COMCAST is utter dog shit.

That is all.

Neutral

baldrick5 @ Jan 13th 2009 4:56PM

will Fios ever come to an area served by Qwest telephone service???

Neutral

d3c0n @ Jan 13th 2009 11:20PM

Verizon FIOS please come to SE Portland... PLEASE

anyone know if they get the TrailBlazer games in HD.. from Comcast Sports Net Northwest?

Neutral

Brad @ Jan 14th 2009 3:19AM

I've gone from Comcast -> Time Warner -> FIOS here in Southern California, and really can't see how people are complaining.

1.) The picture quality difference is stunning, especially on the HD channels
2.) We've seen a huge expansion in HD channels over the past year
3.) Having all the HBO's in HD is awesome, why on earth would that be a bad thing
3.) My bill actually went DOWN like $10 under the new pricing structure which includes more channels and faster internet.

That being said, I hope we get MLB network HD soon (TWC LA has it already), along with Comedy Central and AMC in HD. I'd have no reason to drift below channel 500 ever again

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