Washington, D.C.
(March 9, 2007)
--
California has authorized Verizon to offer its FiOS TV
service to 45 more communities.
The telco, which now offers the TV service to 18 cities in the state, carries 26 national High-Definition channels, including five premium networks.
California's Public Utilities Commission yesterday gave Verizon the first state-wide video franchise. The California legislature last year passed a video franchise law that enables a TV provider to bypass local governments to get authorization for local TV service. The law is designed to increase competition among TV providers.
"The commission's rapid approval of our application opens up an exciting new dimension in home entertainment for many of our Southern California customers," said Tim McCallion, Verizon's West region president. "This is a huge victory for consumers."
The telco, which now offers the TV service to 18 cities in the state, carries 26 national High-Definition channels, including five premium networks.
California's Public Utilities Commission yesterday gave Verizon the first state-wide video franchise. The California legislature last year passed a video franchise law that enables a TV provider to bypass local governments to get authorization for local TV service. The law is designed to increase competition among TV providers.
"The commission's rapid approval of our application opens up an exciting new dimension in home entertainment for many of our Southern California customers," said Tim McCallion, Verizon's West region president. "This is a huge victory for consumers."
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Verizon will now be able to offer its TV service to hundreds of thousands of California residents. The company says that later this month it will announce its first launch markets under the new state-issued franchise.
Since launching about two years ago, Verizon and fellow telco AT&T have struggled to compete with the cable and satellite TV industries. Verizon reported having 207,000 subscribers at the end of last year while AT&T, which has been plagued with software issues, reported less than 20,000.
However, Verizon, which has made steady progress over the last six months in securing video franchises around the country, could see a significant increase in subs this year.
If so, the telco's lineup of 26 HDTV channels could pressure local cable services to accelerate their high-def lineup expansion.
Below of a list of California communities where Verizon can now offer its FiOS TV service.
Artesia
Industry
Rolling Hills
Bellflower
La Quinta
Rolling Hills Estates
Calimesa
La Verne
San Dimas
Cathedral City
Lakewood
San Jacinto
Chino
Long Beach
Santa Fe Springs
Claremont
Montclair
Santa Monica
Coachella
Moreno Valley
Seal Beach
Desert Hot Springs
Norwalk
Signal Hill
Diamond Bar
Palm Desert
Stanton
Fountain Valley
Palm Springs
Torrance
Garden Grove
Palos Verdes Estates
Upland
Hawaiian Gardens
Pomona
Victorville
Huntington Beach
Rancho Cucamonga
Walnut
Indian Wells
Rancho Mirage
Westminster
Indio
Rancho Palos Verdes
Yucaipa
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Verizon will now be able to offer its TV service to hundreds of thousands of California residents. The company says that later this month it will announce its first launch markets under the new state-issued franchise.
Since launching about two years ago, Verizon and fellow telco AT&T have struggled to compete with the cable and satellite TV industries. Verizon reported having 207,000 subscribers at the end of last year while AT&T, which has been plagued with software issues, reported less than 20,000.
However, Verizon, which has made steady progress over the last six months in securing video franchises around the country, could see a significant increase in subs this year.
If so, the telco's lineup of 26 HDTV channels could pressure local cable services to accelerate their high-def lineup expansion.
Below of a list of California communities where Verizon can now offer its FiOS TV service.
Artesia
Industry
Rolling Hills
Bellflower
La Quinta
Rolling Hills Estates
Calimesa
La Verne
San Dimas
Cathedral City
Lakewood
San Jacinto
Chino
Long Beach
Santa Fe Springs
Claremont
Montclair
Santa Monica
Coachella
Moreno Valley
Seal Beach
Desert Hot Springs
Norwalk
Signal Hill
Diamond Bar
Palm Desert
Stanton
Fountain Valley
Palm Springs
Torrance
Garden Grove
Palos Verdes Estates
Upland
Hawaiian Gardens
Pomona
Victorville
Huntington Beach
Rancho Cucamonga
Walnut
Indian Wells
Rancho Mirage
Westminster
Indio
Rancho Palos Verdes
Yucaipa
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
____________________________________________
Phillip Swann is president and publisher of
TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of
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Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The
Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial
Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood
Reporter. He can be reached at
swann@tvpredictions.com
or at 703-505-3064.
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