Showtime to debut stylish interactive widget

Showtime will launch a new stylish interactive widget for FiOS HD subscribers watching the Strikeforce Challengers sporting event on Friday, Feb. 26. The mixed martial arts broadcast will premiere SHOWTIME Sports Interactive, an EBIF interactive TV app enabling you to vote, view fighter stats and bios, and access a fight calendar. The widget is designed to look like an old baseball card, with retro looking illustrations and all the imperfections of an age (no, your TV isn’t getting old). Showtime says its the first programmer to rollout an EBIF iTV app in high-def, and will include the feature in select HD MPEG-4 broadcasts.

HBO Go launches for Verizon FiOS customers

HBO Go (hbogo.com), a new online service providing movies and TV shows at no additional charge to HBO subscribers, launched exclusively for Verizon FiOS TV customers. The streaming MPEG-4 video format (delivered via Flash media) will stream at either 1.2 Mbps or 2.6 Mbps depending on your connection speed. Full Story

Verizon to carry MSNBC in NY metro, but no HD

Verizon says they will launch MSNBC throughout the New York metropolitan area on Feb. 2, however, they will not be providing the HD simulcast which is available in 1080i. Well, the 480i feed is at least a start. Previously Verizon, along with AT&T, was in a carriage dispute with area cable provider Cablevision, preventing them from broadcasting the channel. Full Story

Epix HD closer to distribution deals, including Cox and Dish

Via Reuters Cox Communications may be close to reaching an agreement to carry movie channels Epix and Epix HD, but Cox is not the only TV provider who may get the new network. An article earlier this month from Reuters said Dish was talking to Epix, with a carriage deal expected early in 2010. Full Story

Verizon boasts most TV markets in New Jersey

Verizon has marked the third year anniversary of launching FiOS TV in New Jersey by adding three more municipalities. The company says it is now the largest television provider in the state in terms of locations served, providing service to 348 municipalities. The added areas include New Brunswick (Middlesex County), Hamilton Township (Atlantic County), and Middle Township (Cape May County). Full Story

Verizon FiOS to launch three new World TV channels

Verizon will launch three new additional channels this week from World TV that include Korean, Mandarin and Greek language programming. Verizon says they now offer 35 international channels (although their website says 60), in 20 different languages through their fiber-optic FiOS TV service. Full Story

Verizon launches FiOS TV in Allentown, PA

In Allentown, Pennsylvania, Verizon has launched its FiOS TV fiber-optic network providing 128 HD channels in the area as well as 2,400 high-definition VOD titles. Verizon is offering the combined television/voice/internet service at an introductory price of $79.99 for the first six months. Full Story

Verizon expands FiOS service in Baltimore County, Md

Verizon has expanded its FiOS service to 25,000 additional residencies in Baltimore County, Maryland, offering over 500 digital channels in the state and a lineup of 132 HD channels. Full Story

FiOS TV debuts in central New York

Verizon’s FiOS TV has launched in eight parts of central New York, including Clay, East Syracuse, North Syracuse, Cicero, DeWitt, Salina, Camillus and Fleming. The fiber optic-based service is now available to 50,000 residencies, with an additional 12,000 to be added by the end of the month. Full Story

FiOS adds Patriots on-demand content in New England

Verizon’s FiOS TV service has added exclusive New England Patriots programming to its on-demand library. The programming will be available exclusively to its customers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island (FiOS is not offered in other New England states). Full Story

FiOS to broadcast free preview of NFL RedZone

If you haven’t shelled out for the season pass of NFL RedZone, you may want to take a look at a free preview of the channel with Verizon’s FiOS TV this Sunday (Oct. 4). NFL RedZone will be broadcast from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET free-of-charge to subscribers. Full Story

FiOS expands NBA LEAGUE PASS and NBA TV

Some good news for FiOS TV subscribers, Verizon and NBA Digital have signed an agreement to distribute NBA LEAGUE PASS and NBA TV to even more customers. The multi-year agreement gives FiOS subscribers up to 40 out-of-market NBA games per week, both in standard and high-definition (HD). Full Story

Verizon’s FiOS moving into Pittsburgh

For some residents in Pittsburgh, PA, Verizon’s FiOS TV will be available in as little as weeks, according to a company announcement celebrating a 10-year cable franchise agreement with the city. Verizon is also offering cash back for customers who sign up before Dec. 19. Full Story

Verizon to add more high-definition VOD

Verizon has announced plans to add more high-definition on-demand content to add to their 1400 available HD titles available every month. Premium channels HBO and Cinemax will each provide 150 hours of VOD content. Full Story

FiOS TV expands in Rhode Island

As well as reaching five new communities in Massachusetts, Verizon’s FiOS TV has also expanded to two communities in Rhode Island. Residents in East Providence and Woonsocket will now have access to the fiber-optic based service, offering 122 HD channels in the markets. Full Story

Verizon FiOS TV expands in Massachusetts

Verizon has expanded its FiOS TV service to five more communities in Massachusetts communities including Easton, Groton, Hull, Kingston and Wrentham. With the additions, FiOS reaches just about 100 Massachusetts communities. (See list below. Some communities are close to being added.) Full Story

Verizon expands FiOS TV DVR features

Verizon has added a couple cool features for their customers with FiOS TV DVRs which had previously only been available to those with FiOS TV Home Media DVRs. The cooler of the features is the ability to program your DVR from any internet-enabled cell phone. Full Story

Verizon FiOS adds HD VOD content

Verizon’s FiOS TV approved for Hull, MA

Verizon has been given permission by the Hull Board of Selectmen this week to provide FiOS TV service to residents of Hull. This brings the number of communities where FiOS has been approved to 99 in the state of Massachusetts. Full Story

Epix HD to launch on FiOS TV in October

Epix HD has signed an agreement with Verizon to run its channel on Verizon’s FiOS TV network, a distribution deal that could reach as many as 2.5 million households. The 15-month-old joint venture owned by Viacom (Paramount Pictures), Lions Gate Entertainment and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios will start service exclusively with Verizon on Oct. 1. Full Story