Verizon Signs Programming Deals with Gemstar-TV Guide and HDNet

Verizon Signs Programming Deals with Gemstar-TV Guide and HDNet

Networks Now on the Air in Verizon's First TV Market in Keller, Texas

NEW YORK, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon today announced separate programming-distribution agreements with Gemstar-TV Guide's TV Guide Channel and TVG Network, as well as HDNet to carry the networks on Verizon FiOS TV. The agreements were signed prior to the launch of FiOS TV on Sept. 22 in Keller, Texas, and the programming is available now in Keller and will be part of the FiOS TV lineup in future markets.

Under the agreement with Gemstar-TV Guide, Verizon FiOS TV will carry the TV Guide Channel, a television entertainment and program guide network, as well as TVG Network, the premier live interactive horseracing network. The agreement with HDNet includes HDNet Movies. HDNet is the first national television network broadcasting all of its programming in high definition, including original series, sports and licensed programming. HDNet Movies delivers a commercial-free schedule of full-length feature films.

"TV Guide Channel will allow subscribers to easily find their favorite programs among the extensive channel options available on FiOS TV," said Terry Denson, vice president of programming and marketing for FiOS TV. "In addition, HDNet and HDNet Movies will bring a superior viewing experience, with live sports, movies and original programming broadcast entirely in high definition."

Tonia O'Connor, Gemstar-TV Guide's executive vice president of affiliate sales and marketing, said, "We are excited about expanding our distribution footprints for TV Guide Channel and TVG with Verizon. TV Guide Channel, dedicated to covering the world of TV, and TVG, with over 25,000 live horse races each year, are two strong additions to Verizon's programming lineup."

Mark Cuban, president and co-founder of HDNet, said, "We're excited to be partnering with Verizon to bring HDNet and HDNet Movies to its FiOS TV customers. With all of our acclaimed original programming, including our exclusive Day and Date movie premieres, we feel that our networks are a great addition to the Verizon video service."

Terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

Verizon launched FiOS TV by unveiling a broad collection of all-digital programming with more than 330 channels and more on the way. FiOS TV digital customers will also have access to a large selection of on-demand content that is easy to order and view.

About Gemstar-TV Guide

TV Guide Channel is operated by Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ:GMST) is a leading media and technology company that develops, licenses, markets and distributes technologies, products and services targeted at the television guidance and home entertainment needs of consumers worldwide. The Company's businesses include: television media and publishing properties; interactive program guide services and products; and technology and intellectual property licensing. Additional information about the Company can be found at http://www.gemstartvguide.com/ . TVG Network, the d/b/a name of ODS Technologies, LP, is a subsidiary of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. More information about TVG is available at http://www.tvg.com/ .

About HDNet

HDNet provides viewers with exciting and topical news, sports, music and entertainment programming. The network features up to 20 hours of original programming each week, all produced in the highest quality 1080i HDTV format -- more original high-definition programming than any other network. HDNet news and entertainment includes original series "HDNet World Report," "Face 2 Face with Roy Firestone," "Art Mann Presents," "HDNet Concert Series," and "True Music," as well as every episode of the acclaimed Warner Bros. series "Smallville." Live sports productions include National Hockey League and Major League Soccer games and NASCAR auto racing. HDNet Movies, the company's second network, features a wide selection of major studios' theatrical releases -- all uncut, unedited, and appearing in their original aspect ratio -- as well as features produced and finished in true 1080i high-definition. Co-founded by Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on Adelphia, Charter, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit http://www.hd.net/ .

About Verizon Communications Inc.

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 214,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 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: Megan Cook of Verizon, +1-212-395-7716, megan.m.cook@verizon.com; Georgia Juvelis, +1-212-626-2564, georgia.juvelis@tvguide.com, or Rob Carl, +1-323-817-4600, rob.carl@tvguide.com, both of TV Guide; or Colette Carey of HDNet, +1-303-542-5576, ccarey@hd.net

Web site: http://www.verizon.com/ http://www.verizon.com/news http://www.gemstartvguide.com/ http://www.tvg.com/ http://www.hd.net/

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

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