Verizon FiOS TV Launches News Corporation's STAR India PLUS

NEW YORK, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon and STAR, a wholly-owned subsidiary of News Corporation and Asia's leading media and entertainment company, announced on Thursday (Sept. 23) the launch of STAR India PLUS on Verizon FiOS TV.  India's No. 1 Hindi channel, STAR India PLUS joins FiOS TV's extensive channel lineup, which includes nearly 40 other international channels covering more than 20 languages – a collection that cable can't match.  The channel began launching on FiOS TV this week and will be in all markets by Sept. 27.

"The addition of STAR India PLUS to the FiOS TV channel lineup further enhances our overall multicultural offering with new content that includes favorite dramas, game shows and more," said Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon.  "Bringing new content and sponsorship support to South Asian communities has been a priority for Verizon, and we look forward to more opportunities in the future."

David Wisnia, STAR's senior vice president of distribution, sales and marketing and head of STAR's North American office, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be making STAR India PLUS available to FiOS TV subscribers.  Viewers will be entertained like never before with our exciting array of dramas, reality shows and Bollywood Blockbusters.  We look forward to growing our relationship with Verizon FiOS and to sharing more of STAR's top-rated networks in the near future."

STAR India PLUS regularly features many of the top programs in the country, week in and week out.  Prime time programs on STAR India PLUS include household-name soap operas like "Tere Liye," "Sasural Genda Phool," "Pratigya" and "Behenein," and other favorites like "Bidaai" and "Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai."  In addition, the channel offers some of India's favorite reality programs and game shows, including "Zara Nach Ke Dikha."  STAR India PLUS recently refreshed its brand identity and philosophy in India with a new tag line, "Rishta Wohi, Soch Nayi" (Same relationships, New thought), thereby symbolizing  the channel's goal to always be relevant to its Indian viewers while simultaneously mirroring the goings on in Indian society.

STAR India PLUS is part of FiOS TV's South Asian (Hindi) package – which already includes Zee TV, TV Asia and SET Asia – for $34.99 per month.  Verizon also offers another South Asian channel in Punjab called Jus Punjabi for $9.99 per month.  Customers can subscribe right on the TV screen by tuning to one of the channels and pressing "OK" on the FiOS TV remote control.  Customers also can call 1-800-VERIZON or visit www.verizon.com/fiostv for more information.

The new channel joins Verizon FiOS TV's broad collection of programming that includes more than 520 all-digital channels with up to 140 HD channels and 18,000 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 STAR

STAR India is a leading media and entertainment company, broadcasting 33 channels in eight languages to more than 142 million people every week across India and more than 65 countries across the globe. Its channel portfolio includes household brands Star Plus, Star One, Star Gold, Channel [V], Star Jalsha, Star Pravah, Star World, Star Movies, Star Utsav and joint venture channels Asianet, Asianet Plus, Star Vijay, Suvarna, Star News, ESPN and Star Sports. STAR India also manages a portfolio of business ventures including DTH operator Tata Sky, Cable system Hathway, channel distributor STAR Den, news channel operator MCCS, south Indian broadcast business of Asianet channels and STAR Vijay, film producer and distributor Fox STAR Studios India and STAR CJ Home Shopping.  Its businesses have greater breadth and depth than any other broadcaster in the country.

Star India is a fully owned subsidiary of News Corporation. www.startv.com/usa

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 more than 92 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 last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon