VERSUS and Verizon FiOS TV Break 3D Ground on Nov. 13 With College Football Broadcast

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Saturday (Nov. 13) marks an innovative and historic day for VERSUS and Verizon, as the network embarks on its first foray into the world of 3D by making a live 3D college football game available to all Verizon FiOS TV subscribers across the country. VERSUS will produce and broadcast the game, No. 1-ranked Oregon against Cal at Berkeley, starting at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.

"Verizon is taking the next step in 3D programming for our FiOS TV customers, with the first televised 3D college football game," said Tricia Lynch, senior programming executive for Verizon.  "With several other 3D broadcasts this year and the upcoming selection of 3D video-on-demand movies, our customers will experience 3D at its best, with the advanced picture quality and sound that FiOS delivers."

Marc Fein, executive vice president of programming, production and business operations for VERSUS, said, "We're thrilled that our initial entry into 3D production will feature a Pac-10 matchup with the top-ranked college football team in the country.  We saw this game as the perfect opportunity to showcase new technology and create an unbelievable viewing experience for fans." 

The VERSUS 3D telecast is available to all FiOS TV customers across the country who have a 3D television set, 3D glasses and a high-definition set-top box.  The live 3D game will be available to FiOS TV customers on Channel 1002.  The game also will be available on FiOS TV in high definition on Channel 590 and in standard definition on Channel 90.  

The telecast will feature a separate production crew and equipment from the traditional HD game production.  The network will have multiple 3D cameras placed strategically around the field, giving viewers camera angles not usually seen during 2D telecasts, as well as a completely different on-air team of announcers and reporters.  Wayne Larrivee, who currently calls games for the Green Bay Packers, will handle play-by-play duties for the 3D telecast.  He will be joined by former NFL quarterback Erik Kramer in the booth along with Heidi Androl reporting from the sidelines.  VERSUS will also produce an HD telecast of the game, with Ron Thulin serving as the play-by-play announcer, Glenn Parker providing color commentary and Lewis Johnson reporting from the sidelines. 

The VERSUS 3D telecast marks Verizon's latest major 3D initiative this year.  On Oct. 29, the company announced that FiOS TV subscribers will have access to 10 3D feature films on demand in November and December.  In September, Verizon exclusively produced and broadcast the first televised National Football League game in 3D, the preseason matchup between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.  And on July 10 and 11, the company broadcast the first Major League Baseball games in 3D, between the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners.

FiOS TV offers a broad collection of programming that includes more than 520 all-digital channels including up to 140 HD channels as well as 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.

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 93 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 195,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon