Verizon and NBC Universal Cable Reach Extensive Agreement for Distribution of NBCU Cable and Broadcast Networks

Verizon and NBC Universal Cable Reach Extensive Agreement for Distribution of NBCU Cable and Broadcast Networks

Verizon FiOS TV to Offer Spanish-language Programming Including Telemundo and mun2

NEW YORK, April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon today announced a long-term agreement with NBC Universal Cable for distribution of its cable and broadcast networks on Verizon FiOS TV, which launches later this year. Two of the networks, Telemundo and mun2, will be part of the extensive lineup of Spanish- language programming available to FiOS TV subscribers.

The agreement includes rights to distribute Bravo, CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, SCI FI Channel, Trio, USA, ShopNBC, Telemundo, including Telemundo's locally owned broadcast stations, and mun2, a channel aimed at young U.S. Latinos. Also included are retransmission consent rights to NBC Universal's owned and operated broadcast stations and Universal HD, a service that features high-definition films, TV shows, performing arts, sports and special events.

"We are pleased to add NBCU Cable to our list of content partners," said Terry Denson, vice president of programming and marketing for Verizon FiOS TV. "Whether it's news or entertainment, in-language programs, sports, shopping, local channels or HD, NBC Universal's channels will provide the types of choices customers prefer."

David Zaslav, president, NBCU Cable, said, "Through this agreement with Verizon, consumers will now have another way to access the quality programming available from NBCU. We are committed to working with our distribution partners on providing them with the most compelling and meaningful content for their customers."

In addition to a robust expanded basic package, Verizon will also offer an alternative basic package that will feature popular English and Spanish language networks to appeal to the Hispanic population.

Verizon FiOS TV will offer customers a competitive alternative to cable or satellite. In addition to the NBC Cable and Broadcast 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 NBC Universal Cable

NBC Universal Cable, a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's preeminent media companies, drives the company's cable strategic development and growth including video-on-demand, pay-per-view, HDTV and retransmission consent, and oversees the cable distribution, marketing and local ad sales of fourteen properties (Bravo, CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, mun2, NBC Weather Plus, SCI FI, ShopNBC, Telemundo, Telemundo Puerto Rico, Trio, Universal HD, USA and the Olympics on cable). NBC Universal Cable also directs and manages the company's cable and new media investments including A&E, The History Channel, History Channel International, The Biography Channel, National Geographic International, the Sundance Channel and Tivo.

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: Sharon Cohen-Hagar, Verizon, +1-972-718-6205, sharon.cohen-hagar@verizon.com; or Alyssa Donelan, NBC Universal, +1-201-735-3568

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

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

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