Verizon Offers Live NFL Network Games Via Internet

Attempting an end run around cable systems that didn’t agree with its terms for primetime football programming, the National Football League and Verizon Communications have agreed to deliver live NFL Network programming via Verizon's consumer broadband services, beginning Dec. 7.

NFL fans must subscribe to Verizon’s FiOS service and broadband Internet connection, or have DirecTV and broadband Internet access from Verizon. The telco didn’t estimate how many total residences would be able to access the NFL Network programming under these requirements.

The deal was necessitated when the NFL Network, which is carried on many major cable systems such as that of Comcast Corp., couldn’t reach a mutually acceptable content deal for the live games. As a result, tens of thousands of football fans couldn’t watch last week’s Thursday’s night game, the NFL Network’s first live game broadcast.

The deal includes live, online broadcasts of NFL Network's Thursday and Saturday regular-season games, certain college football bowl games, plus other programming for Verizon consumer broadband subscribers who also receive the NFL Network.

Additionally, all Verizon consumer broadband customers -- including customers of both Verizon's FiOS Internet Service and Verizon Online's DSL service -- will be able to view a variety of additional NFL-related and NFL Network programming, including weekly previews of games, highlights, offseason programming and links to an NFL.com fantasy football game.

"Customers who subscribe to video and broadband with Verizon can now enjoy live NFL action on their TVs, PCs and laptops, both at home and away from home," said Bob Ingalls, chief marketing officer of Verizon.

Through a separate agreement, Verizon provides the NFL Network TV channel to subscribers of its 200-channel all-digital FiOS TV Premier package.

To access the new, online NFL programming, customers will log onto their Verizon consumer broadband accounts and access the shows from the Verizon Surround online entertainment site (http://surround.verizon.net/). They can access live programs at home or use any broadband connection to log on remotely.

NFL Network www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/home  

Verizon Communications www.verizon.com

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