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Comcast has issues with Verizon's FiOS VOD claims

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Oct 23rd 2009 at 3:07PM

Comcast's crazy claims
The only thing we love more than analysts and surveys is content providers bickering over each other's ridiculous PR claims and none are as fun as when Comcast is involved. Avid readers are all too familiar with Comcast's strategy to give up on the linear channel race and instead focus on VOD "options" no matter how silly it makes them look to those in the know. What really makes this particular situation interesting is that Comcast doesn't appreciate it when another provider, like Verizon FiOS, gets in on the action when it recently claimed it offered 3 times as many VOD offerings a month as the nation's largest provider. Comcast claims this is just not true and there are actually at least 17,000 VOD titles available in most markets. If that is news to you, then you aren't the only one as Verizon blasts back with "I'm surprised that Comcast wouldn't talk about these numbers in their PR and advertising. We make sure to let our customers know when we're adding more to their service." Too true, Verizon, too true. Honestly we couldn't care less about VOD because we're in the small group of CableCARD users, but there's no way we could turn away from a train wreck like this.

Epix HD queues up Iron Man, Madonna and Eddie Izzard for online & FiOS launch October 30

by Richard Lawler posted Oct 12th 2009 at 4:23PM


Epix HD has locked down a launch date and lineup, confirmed for Verion FiOS subscribers so far, the festivities will kick off October 30th with television and online premieres of Iron Man, Madonna "Sticky & Sweet: Live from Buenos Aires," and Eddie Izzard: Live From Wembley. Other titles set for launch weekend are The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Madea Goes to Jail, Pink Panther 2, the Indiana Jones movie that sucked, Cloverfield, The Duchess and more. Epix has previously stated a goal to build the largest stable of movies online with a planned 3,000 titles available in the Epix Megaplex, you'll see if this whole new way of delivering a premium movie experience is all it's appeared to be very soon.

Update: Epix just passed along the launch weekend schedule so check after the break for all the times (EST)

Continue reading Epix HD queues up Iron Man, Madonna and Eddie Izzard for online & FiOS launch October 30

Latest DirecTV sale rumors point to Verizon

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 28th 2009 at 3:08PM

The constant dance card shuffling with DirecTV's ownership and AT&T's satellite dealings fueled rumors of a sale earlier this year, now rekindled with Verizon and its FiOS TV unit listed as a potential partner. The idea, as described by the Wall Street Journal, is that Verizon's desire to expand its video business would manifest by buying a satellite company (DirecTV over DISH based on its performance and current restructuring by Liberty Media) and overnight going from number 8 to number 2 among cable and satellite operators. Whether the two telephone companies will actually battle it out over satellite remains to be seen, we're just wondering if this could give U-Verse or FiOS subs a crack at NFL Sunday Ticket.

[Via Barrons]

The RVU Alliance picks up Verizon as a founding promoter

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Sep 6th 2009 at 1:43PM

RVU Alliance
Obviously Verizon is all about delivering a whole home DVR solution, so it's no shocker that something like the RVU Alliance is right up its alley. But we are glad to see the fiber to the home provider doesn't shy away from adopting someone else's technology -- we say this because we all know how much Verizon loves, tru2way -- and ask much as we want to be able to have access to the same content in every room of our house, we're not big on the current Verizon solution. The bottom line is that we are on the same page with Verizon here are glad to hear the CTO say that Verizon wants to "lead the industry to an ever-simpler process for integrating consumer electronics." What we hope he means though, is that Verizon will be bring an RVU server to the party so we can enjoy all those HD channels on a Samsung HDTV without a STB.

Verizon launches FiOS TV Online trial

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Aug 27th 2009 at 9:46AM

That smug FiOS guy wants you to know that Verizon has announced the launch of FiOS TV Online, extending your sitcom addiction to yet another screen with on-demand programming from TNT and TBS (with other providers coming "soon," apparently). If you thought watching Project Runway on your Motorola Krave was mind-blowing, wait until the latest Mark-Paul Gosselaar snoozefest is available any time, any day, on your laptop! Kind of makes Twitter widgets seem rather tame in comparison. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Verizon launches FiOS TV Online trial

TiVo projects larger than expected losses, still taking the patent fight to AT&T and Verizon

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 26th 2009 at 8:13PM

We'll let the analysts make sense of TiVo's new projection that it will lose $8 to $10 million in the third quarter, larger than Wall Street expectations while projected revenues are lower -- we're too busy adding Verizon and AT&T to the patent battlemap. Today it filed complaints against both for violating three of its DVR-related patents -- Nos. 6,233,389 B1 ("Multimedia Time Warping System"), 7,529,465 B2 ("System for Time Shifting Multimedia Content Streams"), and 7,493,015 B1 ("Automatic Playback Overshoot Correction System") if you must know -- seeking damages for past infringement and a permanent injunction. We'd assumed it would wait until settling things with DISH to push forward against other companies, but it looks like we're not the only ones getting impatient. Beyond the legal slapfight there's a few nuggets for the bleep bloop faithful, with the Comcast TiVo on-line scheduler beginning to roll out in Boston plus further expansions on the way and the due-in-2010 DirecTV HD TiVo still on track -- we'll need a few seasons of Law & Order queued up before this mess ever gets resolved.

Read - TiVo Swings to Loss, Files Infringement Suits
Read - TiVo Reports Results for the Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2010 Ended July 31, 2009
Read - TiVo Files Complaints for Patent Infringement Against AT&T and Verizon Communications in United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas; Seeking Damages and Injunction

FiOS TV expansions: August 23, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 23rd 2009 at 10:16AM


Time goes by and FiOS TV just keeps on crawling along, most recently into a few more New york communities and NYU housing. Also of note in NYC is a deal to stream Yankees games over the internet, while customers everywhere can take advantage of new and newly expanded features,

Read - Verizon and YES Network Team Up to Bring Online Yankees Games to FiOS TV, Broadband Customers
Read - Verizon Wins Approval From New York University to Install FiOS Services in Faculty Housing
Read - Two Additional Central New York Communities Take Step Closer to Real TV Competition
Read - Advanced Multimedia and Remote DVR Features Now Available to FiOS TV DVR Customers
Read - More New Choices Now Available From the No. 1 Video-on-Demand Service - Verizon FiOS TV
Read - Verizon Adds Even More Interactivity to FiOS TV's Facebook and Twitter Social TV Widgets

AT&T also has a grudge against Cablevision

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 14th 2009 at 3:11PM

Looks like Verizon's not the only one to have beef with Cablevision's treatment of its MSG HD channels, now that AT&T has also petitioned the FCC to compel the cabler to sell the high definition feeds to its competitors. AT&T cites stats showing high definition is a big deal for consumers, with 45% saying they'd switch providers for a superior sports package, claiming it can't compete in Connecticut without the networks. Just as before, Cablevision claims it can do as it likes, that it already sells them every single game (in SD format) and that AT&T is a bigger company that doesn't need a bailout. We've had plenty of summertimes squabbles about who was and wasn't playing by the rules that ended with one side claiming they'd take their ball and go home, but we usually didn't bring the FCC in to settle it. The FCC is still on a five month clock to consider the complaints and the "terrestrial loophole," 'til it responds we can't guess how this one will end.

Media Manager, Remote DVR scheduling features reach more FiOS subscribers

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 12th 2009 at 12:27PM


New features they aren't, but Verizon has just loosed its Media Manager software and Remote DVR scheduling features to more customers, now that they're available to all subscribers with both FiOS TV and internet service. Previously available only to Home Media DVR owners, and then all DVR owners, now more customers get the unending joy of scheduling recordings even away from home, or streaming pictures, music and compatible movie formats to the set-top box from their PC.

Updated FiOS Twitter and Facebook widgets add onscreen keyboard, not friends or followers

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 4th 2009 at 7:21PM


Just a few weeks after debuting its Twitter and Facebook widgets, Verizon is refreshing them by giving viewers an onscreen cellphone-style keyboard to mash out their own tweets and Facebook status updates from the remote. Though we wonder if it wouldn't be easier to just use ones actual cellphone to spread your inane viewing habits amongst those unlucky enough to count you as a friend, the services have apparently been quite popular so far, with millions of Tweets and Facebook photos viewed since it was released. As usual, the free apps can be found in the Widget Bazaar, where Verizon CIO Shaygan Kheradpir will be looking for more tools that "engage viewers" once the SDK is released later this year. Not close to your TV (or an area with FiOS TV service?) check out a few screens of the new functionality below.

Gallery: FiOS TV updated Facebook & Twitter widgets

FiOS TV expansions: August 2, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 2nd 2009 at 3:01PM


This week's FiOS TV roundup is all about milestones, first up is FiOS TV itself, which Verizon reported in its 2Q 2009 highlights has added 300,000 subscribers to a total of 2.5 million. Also notable is that it's been a year since FiOS was first operating in New York City, and, for those apartment dwellers still missing out, there's new technology on the way that might bring it to your residence even faster. Still, if FiOSTV isn't ready where you live but DirecTV is, there's a new bundle that could help you same some dough, while Hull, Massachusetts nabs the lone shoutout, as it granted Verizon a cable franchise last week.

Read - TV Choice and Competition Near for Residents of Hull, Mass.
Read - Verizon and DIRECTV Team Up to Offer Money-Saving Bundles
Read - Verizon FiOS TV Celebrates First Year of Operation in New York City
Read - Verizon Begins Deploying Breakthrough Optical Technology That Saves Space and Makes It Easier to Install FiOS Services in Apartment Buildings
Read - Verizon Reports Revenue Growth and Continued Improvement in Cash Flow in 2Q

Verizon rolling out more apartment-friendly hardware

by Steven Kim posted Jul 31st 2009 at 7:22PM

Verizon installer
We can't imagine who would turn down Verizon's FiOS service because the required hardware to get fiber right into their home was too big; given the option, we'd make room -- like an addition to the home if necessary. Still, we won't argue with anything that opens FiOS up to more people, and Verizon is dropping new, smaller optical network terminal (ONT) hardware that should make the fiber service more attractive to MDU (multi-dwelling unit) properties in particular. Two new models convert the data-laden light pulses into electrical signals suitable for home consumption and measure a scant 1.25x8.5x5.5-inches and 2.5x9x8.25-inches from Alcatel-Lucent and Motorola, respectively; good news for space-conscious apartment dwellers. The good news for installers is that these new boxes are easier to install. Unfortunately, not so easy that Verizon is expanding FiOS into our market yet, but maybe you'll have better luck.

Verizon to offer Epix movie channel / streaming service on FiOS, VCast

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 28th 2009 at 11:44AM


TV channel / online service combo Epix has finally locked up its first distribution partner, Verizon's FiOS TV. Not a lot of details are available yet, but Viacom CEO Phillippe Dauman says it can offer the service a la carte, in bundles with broadband, and even plans a mobile VCast offering. We've already had a peek at the in-beta HD streams and saw a lot to like, with planned access on three screens and flicks from MGM, Lionsgate and Paramount locked up for years to come Epix is shaping up as a very formidable offering prior to its planned October launch.

Update: Epix hit us off with the official PR (posted after the break) but here's the most important details - in the coming weeks, Verizon customers will be able to access a preview of the network, either through their VOD menu on the FiOS set-top box, or by visiting EpixHD.com and entering their account info.

Continue reading Verizon to offer Epix movie channel / streaming service on FiOS, VCast

FiOS TV expansions: July 25, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 25th 2009 at 10:16PM


Even with an extra week, there's not much to mention in this Verizon FiOS TV roundup, although we're sure the people of Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana would beg to differ, with service recently made available to those areas. In other news, Verizon was apparently pleased by the Senate approval of new FCC commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Meredith Baker, though what this means for increased broadband (and HDTV) rollout, we'll have to wait and see.

Read - Verizon Statement on Senate Approval of FCC Nominations
Read - Verizon Makes FiOS TV Available to Nearly 10,000 Households in Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana, Calif.

FiOS TV Media Manager streaming hands on w/ video

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 23rd 2009 at 2:12PM


We've seen plenty of pics of the new social aspects that kicked off Verizon's Widget Bazaar plans, but our friends at Zatz Not Funny have had a little seat time with the other major addition, video streaming via Home Media Manager. Pulling video from the internet or a PC it all looks to work pretty easily, although they noted the software did crash a few times when they tried it. Otherwise, we've heard some complaints about the codec support and a lack of video controls, but if you don't have one of those FiOS TV Motorola boxes in your living room, click on through for more pics and video to see what it's like.




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