Time Warner Strikes "TV Everywhere" Pact With Verizon

Telco will offer range of online Turner content to FiOS TV subs

By Glen Dickson -- Broadcasting & Cable, 5/12/2010 1:44:31 PM

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Time Warner, which has been driving cable operators and programmers to make cable network programming online through its "TV Everywhere" initiative, has struck a major deal with telco Verizon to make such content available to FiOS TV subscribers on their PCs or laptops.

Time Warner and Verizon announced Wednesday (May 12) at the Cable Show that the companies will make new television programming available online to Verizon's FiOS TV customers using authentication technology, much as Comcast is doing with its "Fancast Xfinity TV" service. 

Beginning in June, FiOS TV and broadband customers will automatically receive free, unlimited online access to popular content from Time Warner's Turner networks TNT and TBS, and the companies plan to bring the same content to mobile devices "in the near future."  Shows like The Closer, Southland, Leverage, Lopez Tonight and more will be available free of charge within 24 hours after an episode airs on live television, in HD online quality, and Turner expects to launch additional networks during the remainder of the year.

"Verizon has been a great partner as we've explored new ways for their subscribers to access and interact with our popular networks," said Time Warner Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes in a statement. "TNT and TBS will now be available online to FiOS subscribers at no added cost.  In less than a year, we've been able to launch our vision of delivering TV Everywhere to nearly 20 million customers nationwide."

Verizon says it is also working with a number of content providers to make their programming available online, including Fox News, CBS, MTV Networks, Hallmark Channel, Smithsonian Channel, the Tennis Channel and more.  These channels will join other online video services already available to FiOS customers such as Time Warner's HBO Go service, which launched to FiOS customers in February.

"Consumers want to access video any time, any place, and Verizon continues to expand our high-quality entertainment services, providing FiOS customers with access and control," added Mike Ritter, chief marketing officer for Verizon.  "We will continue to work with companies like Time Warner and other early adopters to remain a leader in delivering the best content over the best network."

FiOS customers who subscribe to both FiOS TV and FiOS Internet will be able to watch the programs on their personal computers or laptops, at home or away, using any broadband connection.  FiOS customers will be able to access the Turner online programming at either www.verizon.com/fiostvonline or soon-to-be launched TNT and TBS websites, using their Verizon Online user names and passwords. After initial login, consumers do not need to sign in again for up to 30 days.  Online programming from additional content providers also will be accessible via FiOS TV Online or the provider websites.