Verizon Adds Discovery Channel HD to Its FiOS TV High-Definition Lineup

Verizon Adds Discovery Channel HD to Its FiOS TV High-Definition Lineup

HD Simulcasts of TLC, Animal Planet and The Science Channel Available in 2008

NEW YORK, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon has added Discovery Channel HD to its FiOS TV high-definition lineup in all markets. Verizon FiOS TV customers can now enjoy the premier nonfiction network in stunning high-definition clarity on channel 846. In addition, HD simulcasts of Discovery Communications' other popular networks -- TLC, Animal Planet and The Science Channel -- will be available in 2008 as part of a major expansion of FiOS TV HD programming announced last week.

"Discovery Channel HD is a great addition to the Verizon FiOS TV lineup as we close out 2007 and look forward to our HD expansion in 2008," said Terry Denson, vice president - FiOS TV content strategy and acquisition. "Discovery Communications' programming has wide appeal across demographics and markets, and our HD customers will enjoy seeing all this content with the amazing picture quality and sound that FiOS TV delivers."

Verizon last week announced plans to increase the number of HD channels to 150 channels by the end of 2008. It also said it would offer additional HD content through FiOS TV's video-on-demand service.

With the addition of Discovery Channel HD, Verizon FiOS TV customers will have access to a wide-ranging slate of real-life HD programming spanning content categories such as exploration and adventure, natural history, science and technology, and history, among others. Capitalizing on the superior picture and sound quality offered by high-definition technology, Discovery has invested millions in original HD content, bringing to viewers landmark programming events such as the Emmy Award-winning natural history series "Planet Earth" and "Discovery Atlas HD."

Verizon FiOS TV customers will be able to see Discovery Channel's hit series and groundbreaking specials with spectacular visual clarity, experiencing in true HD the danger and excitement of "Deadliest Catch," the grime of "Dirty Jobs," and the surprise and astonishment of "Mythbusters," among others. Verizon will continue to offer Discovery's stand-alone HD network, HD Theater, which is available on channel 836 and features viewer- favorite "Sunrise Earth" and a broad array of rich, original HD content across several categories such as world cultures, wildlife, high-end auto and adventure.

"Discovery's nonfiction programs like our award-winning 'Planet Earth' truly come alive in HD, making our channels top destinations for viewers," said Bill Goodwyn, president, domestic distribution and enterprises, Discovery Communications. "We are pleased to be working with Verizon to bring their customers HD simulcasts of Discovery's most popular networks and to help drive greater adoption of HD services."

About FiOS TV

During the third quarter of 2007, from June through September, 202,000 new customers chose FiOS TV from Verizon; at the end of the quarter, Verizon had 717,000 FiOS TV customers in 12 states. The service was available for sale to 4.7 million premises, and penetration averaged 15.2 percent across all markets. Verizon FiOS TV currently offers the following HD national channels: TNT HD, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, NFL Network HD, HD Net, HD Net Movies, Universal HD, HD Theater, Wealth TV HD, National Geographic Channel HD, MHD, Food Network HD, HGTV HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD and A&E HD. It also offers local broadcast channels in high definition and HD premium channels, including HBO HD, Cinemax HD, Showtime HD, TMC HD and Starz HD.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks are led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health and HD Theater, with digital media properties including HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ:DISCA) (NASDAQ:DISCB) , Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information please visit www.discoverycommunications.com/.

About Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) , headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 63.7 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more information, visit 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 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; Discovery Communications

CONTACT: Sharon Cohen-Hagar of Verizon, +1-908-559-3470,
sharon.cohen-hagar@verizon.com; or Juliet Farrell of Discovery Communications,
+1-240-662-1707, juliet_farrell@discovery.com

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

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/618232.html

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Profile: International Entertainment