Verizon FiOS TV and Viamedia Extend Advertising Representation Agreement

Verizon FiOS TV and Viamedia Extend Advertising Representation Agreement

20 New Networks Added For Local and Regional Advertising Sales

NEW YORK and LEXINGTON, Ky., July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon FiOS TV and Viamedia, the cable industry's leading independent cable rep firm, announced Tuesday (July 28) an extension of their relationship, with Viamedia as the advertising sales representative for FiOS TV in select markets. In addition, the two companies are making 20 additional networks available to local and regional advertisers, half of which are regional or national sports networks.

Under the renewed arrangement, Viamedia will provide advertising sales representation services for Verizon in the two largest U.S. ad markets -- New York and Los Angeles -- as well as operate in Dallas, Tampa, Norfolk, Providence and Buffalo, and in certain other markets when FiOS TV becomes available there.

Viamedia's president and CEO, Jeff Carter said, "The media landscape is changing, and we are pleased to stay on the forefront of this change through our extended relationship with Verizon."

Richard Williams, executive director of advertising sales at Verizon, added: "With over 70 channels available for ad insertion in each market and an exceptional video-on-demand system for long-form advertising, FiOS TV is an essential element for any local TV advertising campaign. We are excited to work with Viamedia to ensure advertisers know how to best reach FiOS TV customers, leveraging our state-of the-art, fiber-to-the-home technology."

Verizon has 2.5 million FiOS TV customers as of the end of the second quarter, an increase of 82.1 percent compared with June 30, 2008. FiOS TV offers a broad collection of programming, with more than 500 all-digital channels, including more than 115 HD channels, and 15,000 video-on-demand titles each month -- 70 percent of which are free. FiOS TV also offers an innovative Interactive Media Guide that provides next-generation, personalized interactive services, including free Facebook and Twitter social media applications, news and entertainment widgets, ESPN Fantasy Football, a robust search engine, and many other features.

Viamedia has been representing the advertising sales for Verizon FiOS TV in multiple markets since 2007.

About Viamedia

Viamedia is a Cable Television Advertising Representation company based in Lexington, Kentucky. Viamedia and affiliate companies represent over 2.8 million cable households across the United States. Viamedia markets/ DMA coverage include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, Washington DC, Detroit, Tampa, Cleveland, Sacramento, Charlotte, Kansas City, Columbus, San Antonio, Harrisburg, Norfolk, Austin, Providence, Wilkes Barre-Scranton, Knoxville, Lexington, Huntsville, Waco, Savannah, Charleston, Evansville, Sioux Falls, Augusta, Montgomery, Corpus Christi, Panama City, Midland /Odessa, Jackson and Rapid City. For more information, please visit www.viamediatv.com or contact Becky Jones at bjones@viamediatv.com.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) , headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 87 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 235,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Verizon

CONTACT: Becky Jones, Viamedia, +1-859-977-9006, bjones@viamediatv.com,
or Heather Wilner, Verizon, +1-212-321-8333, heather.b.wilner@verizon.com

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

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

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Profile: International Entertainment