Verizon Adds BET HD to FiOS TV Channel Lineup

NEW YORK, March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon is giving FiOS TV customers more high-definition programming with the launch of BET HD.  The new addition to the FiOS TV lineup offers hit music, entertainment and news programming geared toward the African-American audience.  

BET HD is already available to FiOS TV customers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Florida, New Jersey, downstate New York and the Philadelphia area.  It will be available in Maryland, Virginia, Harrisburg, Buffalo and Syracuse by Thursday (March 24), and to all other FiOS TV customers by Tuesday (March 29).

"Today's consumers are clamoring for more high-definition programming, and the launch of BET HD is a great addition for our FiOS TV subscribers," said Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon.  "It's an exciting time for FiOS, as we announce more and more programming options every week.  And with BET HD, our customers are getting popular talk shows, original series and all of BET's music programming, all in high definition."

Joseph Molko, senior vice president of content distribution and marketing at MTV/BET Networks, said, "The launch of BET HD on FiOS TV marks an exciting addition for our network.  With the addition of this new offering, we look forward to enhancing the viewing experience for our audience as we deliver the best in black entertainment and culture."

BET is available to all FiOS TV customers on Channels 770 in high definition and 270 in standard definition.  The channel features popular shows like the original series "The Game," talk shows like "The Mo'Nique Show" and reality shows like "Monica: Still Standing."  In addition, BET offers specials like the "BET Awards," "BET Hip-Hop Awards" and "Celebration of Gospel."  BET will also launch "106 & Park" in HD on May 2.

BET HD joins FiOS TV's broad collection of programming, which offers more than 520 all-digital channels including up to 146 HD channels and 19,000 monthly video-on-demand titles.  FiOS also provides next-generation interactive services including an advanced interactive media guide; social networking, news and entertainment widgets; remote DVR management via broadband or cell phone; and more.

For the latest news, updates and information about FiOS TV, visit www.verizon.com/newscenter  and http://www.verizon.com/athomeblog.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: 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 94.1 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon