CES 2009: Verizon Touts 100-Plus HDs Across FiOS TV Footprint

Telco Also Rolls Out Remote DVR Scheduling

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 1/8/2009 12:01:00 AM

Las Vegas -- Verizon’s FiOS TV now provides 100 or more high-definition channels in all 14 states where the TV service is offered, and the telco announced that it has added remote DVR-scheduling features for Home Media DVR subscribers.

The telco first topped 100 HD channels with its October 2008 launch New York City,  and has steadily ramped up HD lineups in other regions.

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The 100-plus HD channels beats the lineups of major cable competitors -- none of which has hit the triple-digit mark – and puts FiOS TV on competitive footing with the high-def channel counts of DirecTV and Dish Network.

Verizon also claimed that its fiber-optic-based service provides better picture and sound quality than cable or satellite services, in part because FiOS TV does not add additional compression that can degrade quality. 

The remote-DVR functions, available only to customers who subscribe to the multiroom Home Media DVR, are accessible through Verizon’s FiOS TV Web site or by using downloadable software on their Verizon Wireless LG enV2, LG Voyager or LG Chocolate 2 handsets. The wireless remote DVR capability will become available on additional Verizon Wireless handsets in the future, according to Verizon. 

The feature allows subscribers to remotely review, change or add recording requests, delete recorded programs, browse and search TV and video-on-demand listings and set parental controls. A preview of what customers can expect with Remote DVR programming is available at http://verizon.mediaseed.tv.

Verizon’s latest subscriber-acquisition promotion, on offer until Feb. 21, promises new customers six months of free use of either an HD DVR or an HD Home Media DVR. The company said the offer will save a consumer between $95 and $119, depending on the DVR chosen. 

The telco has more than 1.6 million FiOS TV customers; the service is available for sale to more than 8.2 million homes and small businesses.