Verizon and A&E Television Networks Sign Deal for Distribution of All Its Networks

Verizon and A&E Television Networks Sign Deal for Distribution of All Its Networks

Verizon FiOS TV Also to Offer A&E's On-Demand Programming

NEW YORK, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Following its recent announcement with NBC Universal Cable, Verizon today announced another long-term programming- distribution agreement -- this time with A&E Television Networks.

The agreement includes rights to distribute all of A&E's networks on FiOS TV, which launches later this year. They include A&E, The History Channel, The Biography Channel, History International, Military History Channel, The History Channel en español, and Crime & Investigation Network. Also included is video-on-demand content from all of A&E Television Network services.

"We are pleased to add A&E to our list of content partners," said Terry Denson, vice president of programming and marketing for Verizon FiOS TV. "A&E's complement of programming will satisfy our future customers' desire for diverse content related to people, places, and events of current and past historical significance."

David Zagin, executive vice president, distribution, A&E Television Networks, said, "We recognize the investment and resources that Verizon is making toward the video distribution business, and we are delighted to forge an alliance with one of the leaders in the telecommunication business to carry all of the AETN brands on their FiOS platform."

Earlier this week, Verizon announced an agreement with NBC Universal Cable for distribution of NBCU cable and broadcast networks. Verizon previously announced agreements with Starz Entertainment Group and Discovery Networks, and is close to finalizing deal discussions with several other major content partners.

Verizon FiOS TV will offer customers a competitive alternative to cable or satellite. In addition to the A&E channels, FiOS TV will also deliver hundreds of other digital video channels, high-definition programming, video- on-demand content, music channels, an interactive programming guide and other customer-friendly features via the company's fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband network. Verizon is already constructing FTTP networks in half the states where it offers landline communications service.

Customers will be able to buy FiOS TV as a stand-alone service or packaged with voice and FiOS high-speed data services, which are already available in some areas.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About AETN

A&E Television Networks, a joint venture of The Hearst Corporation, ABC, Inc. and NBC, is an award-winning, international media company offering consumers a diverse communications environment ranging from television programming, to home videos/DVDs and music CDs, to Web sites, as well as supporting nationwide educational initiatives. AETN is comprised of A&E Network, The History Channel, History Channel International, The Biography Channel, Military History Channel, The History Channel en espanol, . Crime & Investigation Network, AETN International, and AETN Consumer Products. The A&E web site is located at http://www.aetv.com/ , the Biography web site is located at http://www.biography.com/ and The History Channel web site is located at http://www.historychannel.com/ .

About Verizon

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of more than 210,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom serves customers based in 29 states with wireline telecommunications services, including broadband and other services. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 43.8 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com/ .

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at http://www.verizon.com/news . To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

Source: Verizon

CONTACT: Media - Sharon Cohen-Hagar, Verizon, +1-972-718-6205, sharon.cohen-hagar@verizon.com; Michael Feeney, AETN, +1-212-210-1328, Michael.Feeney@AETN.com

Web site: http://www.verizon.com/ http://www.aetv.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/094251.html

------- Profile: Ent