Carriage Extension Sees Verizon Add Three ESPN Channels To FiOS

By John Ourand, Staff Writer

Verizon will add three ESPN channels to its FiOS lineup thanks to a carriage extension signed by the two companies. FiOS will add ESPN 3D, ESPN Gold Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater, in addition to Disney Junior. As part of the long-term agreement, it also will allow Verizon to stream the full channels of ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater to PCs or tablets. This deal is similar to the one ESPN signed with Time Warner Cable last month and will make sure that all customers who stream the channels are authenticated as Verizon customers. The deal will make progamming from Disney XD and ABC Family available to Verizon Wireless' V Cast Video subs later this year. ESPN Exec VP/Affiliate Sales & Marketing David Preschlack said, "This new agreement represents the ever-evolving landscape of the media industry. Gone are the days of linear channel distribution only."