'WFN: World Fishing Network' and Verizon Award 'Deprived Angler' a New Boat

NEW YORK - WFN: World Fishing Network HD, the only 24 x 7 cable television network dedicated exclusively to the angling and fishing community, and Verizon have awarded "deprived angler" Jim Briggs of Annapolis, Md., the boat of his dreams - an all-new, $15,000 Stratos 176XT, fully equipped, 17-foot bass fishing boat - as part of the WFN/Verizon Adopt an Angler contest.

Briggs, along with hundreds of other fishing enthusiasts, entered the contest, which asked them to tell WFN and Verizon why they deserve to be adopted and cured of "D.A.D" (Deprived Angler Disorder), by submitting a photo essay, a written essay or a video.   As the grand-prize winner, Briggs will receive the keys to his new boat at a ceremony hosted by WFN and Verizon on Thursday (Nov. 6) at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Md.

"One of the most exciting days of my life was the day I found out I won the grand prize of the Adopt an Angler contest by WFN and Verizon," said Briggs.  "I've been going out on boats since I was a baby, and now I can finally take my son out on a boat.  I plan to use my new boat every weekend and teach my son everything that my dad taught me about fishing. My life has truly changed."

An avid fisherman and Verizon FiOS TV customer, Briggs enlisted the support of his mother as the camera person and narrator, and his young son Brandon, who stole the show and captured the hearts of voters.  The video begins with father and son fishing from a kiddie inflatable raft at the Fairwinds Marina in Cape St. Clair, Md.  As Briggs tries to fish, Brandon explains why WFN and Verizon need to cure his father's "D.A.D." 

After the duo tips over the raft, Brandon awakens from a dream to find his father fishing in his fish tank.  Once again, the youngster pleads with WFN and Verizon to cure his father's D.A.D. by awarding him the boat. 

To view the winning video, visit - http://www.wfn.tv/adopt/x6n2249h.

"We commend Jim for his creativity and passion and for using the oldest trick in the book - a cute kid," said Mark Rubinstein, president of WFN.  "It is obvious that he is among the 50 million fishing enthusiasts in North America with a true love for the sport.  We hope that every spare moment he is not watching WFN HD on Verizon FiOS TV, he is on his new boat, which we have aptly named 'The Un-Deprived.'"

Terry Denson, vice president - FiOS TV content and programming, added, "We hope our customers enjoyed the opportunity to participate in this contest that we offered with WFN.  Verizon continues to enhance the FiOS TV offering with exclusive promotions like this and by adding more and more compelling, special interest programming that captures our customers' passions."

In addition to being selected as the winner by the panel of WFN judges, Briggs was also selected by WFN viewers in an online poll as one of five prize winners to receive a $500 gift card to their favorite local fishing retailer.  The other gift card winners were: Sam Catello of Westfield, N.J.; Eric Bishop of Wesley Chapel, Fla.; Matt Teafatiller of Burleson, Texas; and Shane Askira Tanita of Camarillo, Calif.

U.S. consumers can see WFN on channel 317 and WFN HD on channel 597 on Verizon's FiOS TV service, which offers more than 400 all-digital channels including an increasing number of high-definition (HD) channels, and access to more than 11,000 video-on-demand (VOD) titles each month, 70 percent of which are free.  The VOD library also includes a number of HD titles.  FiOS TV is currently available to more than 8.2 million homes in 14 states: California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Washington. 

Verizon, which delivers FiOS TV over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network straight to customers' homes and businesses, is the nation's fastest-growing television service provider.

About WFN & WFN HD
WFN HD features extensive tournament coverage; theme nights; the largest selection of international series; and the most diverse species coverage of any outdoor network.  WFN offers viewers insight from a variety of professional anglers such as Bob & Wayne Izumi, Angelo Viola, Dave Mercer and J.P. DeRose plus a variety of lifestyle shows including Charlie Moore TV, Hookin' Up with Mariko Izumi and Real Road Trip. 

WFN: World Fishing Network was originally launched in December 2005 as North America's first channel dedicated to covering every aspect of the angling and sport fishing industry.  In November 2007, WFN secured an agreement with Verizon FiOS TV as its first U.S distribution partner.  Today, WFN and WFN HD are available in more than 20 million households through North American cable, satellite, and telecommunications distributors.

About Verizon
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 nearly 71 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 employs a diverse workforce of more than 228,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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