XBox 360 to Offer FiOS, Xfinity On-Demand Content
Posted by Jesse Ward on Friday, October 7, 2011 · 
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As had been rumored for some time, Microsoft announced yesterday that it will expand the video content available over its Xbox Live system to pay-TV subscribers in most major markets. Microsoft has deals in place with nearly 40 entertainment providers including AT&T, Comcast and Verizon FiOS, as well as Bravo, ESPN, HBO GO and Syfy. This is in addition to the inherent gaming services and previously announced content from Hulu Plus, Netflix and Google’s YouTube which are available on the Xbox.
Pay-TV subscribers will need to authenticate in order to access the content through the Xbox system. In general, users also will need to subscribe to video and broadband services from their traditional service provider (in other words, cord cutting is not an option), and subscribe to a $60 per year Xbox Live Gold membership. (Microsoft confirmed today that only a small amount of content will be available on the Xbox without authentication and Xbox Gold status.) Read more
Verizon Offers $20 FiOS Value Plan
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, July 18, 2011 · ·
Tech blog Broadband Reports calls our attention to a new Verizon promo, offering select users 3 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream FiOS service for just $20 a month. The FTTH offer requires that the user also bundle traditional landline phone service, but the price is guaranteed for one year, without a contract, and Verizon is throwing in free installation.
It’s a clever idea designed to motivate legacy DSL users to upgrade their service, and entice “lite” customers to retain their FTTH service.
“We introduced the 3 Mpbs offer in late spring,” Verizon’s Bob Elek said to Broadband Reports. “We’re using the 3 Mbps FiOS Internet offer principally to migrate our 1 Mbps high-speed Internet (DSL) customers and as a retention offer.”
For more, see this online promo.
Frontier Moves to Exit FiOS TV Business
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, March 7, 2011 · ·
Frontier is taking steps to withdraw from the FiOS video business. Last July, the Connecticut-based company acquired wireline assets in 14 states from Verizon, including 100,000 FiOS customers. Frontier recently notified Oregon regulators that it plans to opt out of franchise agreements in McMinnville, Dundee, Newburg and Wilsonville, Ore.
This follows closely on the heels of a Frontier announcement that it plans to hike FiOS TV rates for existing customers. Although Frontier has yet to enact a new rate structure, it speaks volumes about the company’s commitment to FiOS video service. Read more
Verizon Launches 150 Mbps FiOS Tier
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, November 22, 2010 · ·
Verizon today debuted a new FiOS Internet package that delivers 150 Mbps downstream and 35 Mbps upstream — although at around $200 per month the service will likely have limited appeal.
The company has begun to roll out the ultra-high-speed service to the majority of the more than 12.5 million homes that the FiOS network passes, and will make the service available to Verizon FiOS small-business customers by the end of the year. Read more
Verizon FiOS Launches Flex View for ‘VoD Everywhere’
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, November 15, 2010 · ·
Last week Verizon FiOS TV launched Flex View, a new value-added service which allows the telco’s video subscribers to rent or buy video-on-demand (VoD) programming and watch it outside the home on a variety of devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets.
The service launched November 10 in most FiOS TV markets and will available across Verizon’s FiOS footprint by the end of the month.
Initially users can download for purchase or rent more than 1,400 movie titles on Flex View, with the amount of content growing to 2,000 titles by year-end.
In 2011, the telco plans to triple the number of titles to more than 6,000, including TV shows for rent or purchase. The service also will be expanded so that FiOS subscribers also can utilize Flex View to access their personal photos video, music and other content. Read more
MaxGO.com on Verizon FiOS
Posted by Steve Fravel on Monday, September 13, 2010 · ·
Verizon FiOS TV is again the first in adding a premium on-demand service to its TV Everywhere line. MAXGo.com (Cinemax) — the sibling of HBOGo.com that launched in February — is now available to PC and mobile screens. Subscribers of Verizon’s FiOS service must also subscribe to Cinemax. The MAXGo.com choice provides up to 700 hours of online content.
Verizon Advances Video Agenda with Cloud TV, iPad and FiOS TV Online
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, August 23, 2010 · ·
Verizon is extending its FiOS video service beyond the living room to tablets, PCs and mobile devices.
Late last week Verizon CIO Shaygan Kheradpir hosted an event in New York City and offered a sneak peek of new features coming soon for FiOS customers, as well as some of the company’s long-term plans for FiOS TV. Verizon plans to offer live video programming as well as video-on-demand services to new platforms.
The service provider announced several new initiatives which rely on the concept of “cloud TV.” Flex View gives customers the ability to rent, purchase and watch video-on-demand programming on FiOS TV, the PC and select mobile devices. Flex View will initially support RIM’s BlackBerry Storm 2, the Droid 2 and Droid X and all Windows Mobile 6.5 devices, with more devices following soon. When it launches this fall, Verion plans to offer 3,000 movie titles, with rental and purchase prices ranging from $2 to $18. TV programming will follow soon after. Videos can be streamed over Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G. Read more