Verizon, Starz Entertainment reach new multiyear deal that extends, expands FiOS TV affiliation; new deal secures Verizon rights to offer its FiOS TV cusomters 23 Starz, Encore channels

Andrew Rogers

ENGLEWOOD, Colorado, and NEW YORK , April 6, 2011 (press release) – Verizon and Starz Entertainment today announced a new, multiyear agreement that extends and expands the FiOS TV affiliation agreement between the companies. As part of the new comprehensive deal, Verizon will continue to offer the full complement of Starz Entertainment's offerings, including its premium linear and HD channels, On Demand, HD On Demand and online services.

The new agreement secures rights for Verizon to offer its FiOS TV customers 23 STARZ and ENCORE channels (including East and West Coast feeds, INDIEPLEX and RETROPLEX), the respective HD channels, and the associated Starz Entertainment subscription VOD offerings: STARZ ON DEMAND, STARZ HD ON DEMAND, STARZ 3D ON DEMAND, ENCORE ON DEMAND and ENCORE HD ON DEMAND. The new agreement also enables Verizon to offer FiOS TV customers MOVIEPLEX, including MOVIEPLEX ON DEMAND in SD and HD, as well as other premium services in the future.

"Offering hit movies and exciting originals across multiple platforms from STARZ and ENCORE is a great benefit for our FiOS customers," said Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon. "Putting the best in premium programming in the hands of consumers is just one of the many ways in which FiOS delivers the best entertainment value in the marketplace."

Ed Huguez, executive vice president, sales and affiliate relations for Starz Entertainment, said, "Starz is very pleased to build upon the successful business relationship with Verizon and provide the best value in exclusive hit movies and compelling original programming today. Verizon has been an industry leader in offering the best video content for its FiOS TV customers, and we look forward to working with them to enhance the premium experience for their STARZ and ENCORE subscribers."

The Starz Entertainment programming is part of FiOS TV's broad overall collection, which offers more than 520 all-digital channels including up to 146 HD channels. Starz programming on FiOS features 23 premium channels as well as video-on-demand content that now includes 3D movies. FiOS also provides next-generation interactive services including an advanced interactive media guide; social networking, news and entertainment widgets; remote DVR management via broadband or cell phone; and more.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 94.1 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.

About Starz Entertainment

Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie and original programming entertainment service provider operating in the United States. The company offers 16 premium channels including the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® brands with approximately 18.2 million and 32.8 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs in total more than 1,000 movies and original series every month across its pay TV channels. Starz Entertainment is recognized as a pay TV leader in providing HD, On Demand, HD On Demand and online advanced services for its STARZ, ENCORE and MOVIEPLEX brands. Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a controlled subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation and is attributed to the Liberty Starz tracking stock group (NASDAQ:LSTZA - News).

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