Verizon Delivers One-of-a-Kind NFL Network Experience to Verizon Broadband and TV Customers

NEW YORK - Football fans who subscribe to video and broadband services with Verizon will soon enjoy NFL Network Game Extra, a unique service that puts viewers in a virtual control booth and enables them to watch live, online broadcasts of Thursday and Saturday pro football games while selecting from among multiple camera-feeds.

The service, provided at no additional charge, is made possible through a one-of-a-kind agreement between Verizon and NFL Network, the only year-round channel dedicated to football. The service is available online through any broadband connection.

Viewers of the online broadcasts will have access to alternate camera angles and live audio feeds and have the ability to view one of four camera angles, or all four angles simultaneously.

Other features include: live online chats with other NFL Network Game Extra viewers  during the live games; game statistics, highlights and drive-chart simulations during the games; on-demand video highlights of the games; and special events, such as college bowl games and college all-star games including the Insight Bowl, Texas Bowl and Senior Bowl.

"The best NFL experience this year is with Verizon," said Bill Heilig, vice president Verizon consumer broadband product development.  "We're bringing our customers exciting new ways to expand their already rich television viewing through a highly interactive, online experience that gives them unprecedented control over what they see and hear on the field, plus the ability to take the action with them wherever they go."

Brian Rolapp, the NFL's senior vice president of media strategy and digital media, said, "The powerful combination of TV and online programming allows fans to view alternate camera angles, watch replays and tap into game stats and highlights, whenever and wherever they find a broadband connection."

The NFL Network Game Extra service is available to consumers who subscribe to either Verizon FiOS or Verizon High Speed Internet service, plus either Verizon FiOS TV or DIRECTV through Verizon.  Verizon is the only Internet service provider to deliver NFL Network programming over broadband.

NFL Network Game Extra viewers will enjoy live, online broadcasts of the "Run to the Playoffs" -- eight regular-season, primetime Thursday and Saturday games, beginning with the Thanksgiving night matchup between the defending Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 22. 

Customers can view the series of online broadcasts anywhere in the world through any broadband-connected computer.

"Verizon and NFL Network have partnered on a strategy that creates added value for Verizon FiOS and Verizon High Speed Internet subscribers, while extending the online visibility of the NFL brand," said Josh Martin, digital media and entertainment analyst for the Yankee Group.  "The Yankee Group believes that, in the increasingly competitive pay-TV environment, marrying multiple services together - TV, broadband and compelling content - to create customer value and loyalty will be imperative to long-term success."

All Verizon FiOS and Verizon High Speed Internet subscribers can enjoy a variety of NFL-related and NFL Network programming, including segments from such shows as "NFL Total Access," fantasy football game updates from NFL.com and "Playbook," the definitive show breaking down each week's match-ups, at verizon.net/nfl.

Verizon provides NFL Network TV channel to subscribers of its 200-channel all-digital FiOS TV Premier - Verizon's standard TV package -- on channel 72 in standard definition and 828 in high definition.  The channel also is available through DIRECTV from Verizon on channel 212 in both standard and high definition.

To access the new, online NFL Network programming and content, customers will log onto their Verizon consumer broadband accounts and visit verizon.net/nfl.  

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 63.7 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

In 2007, NFL Network will air nearly 200 football games, including eight regular season NFL games, 52 preseason games, 98 game re-airs, Super Bowl and NFL Classics, plus the Insight Bowl, Texas Bowl and Senior Bowl.  NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the first television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log onto www.nfl.com/nflnetwork.

####