Verizon, NFL Network Team on New Online Viewing Feature

To drive differentiation of its TV service from those of cable competitors, Verizon has teamed with the NFL Network to let consumers control and view live games from up to four camera angles on any broadband-connected PC using a login and password.

The free feature is called NFL Network Game Extra, and is available to customers who use either Verizon Internet or FiOS Internet and use FiOS TV or TV the telco resells to its DSL customers from satellite-based operator DirecTV.

FiOS is the brand name for Verizon’s video-driven triple-play residential services bundle. The NFL Network, the only fulltime football channel, said viewers will enjoy live, online broadcasts of the "Road to the Playoffs" – eight regular season, primetime Thursday and Saturday games, beginning with the Thanksgiving Day matchup between the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons.

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, according to Verizon.

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

Live professional sports programming has proven to be among the most coveted of content as has been evidenced when it’s been temporarily limited in its distribution, as was the case nearly a year ago when Comcast broke ranks and moved NFL Network content out of its basic tier.

Consumers also lashed out when presented with the scenario of only being able to access Major League Baseball’s Extra Innings out-of-market game telecasts through DirecTV, a deal the league later broadened to include others under intense pressure and threats of investigations from politicians.

But the true differentiation with this Verizon feature is the functionality that comes with the content, which is critical in a market jammed with competitors, all struggling to stand out for the residential consumer masses and avoid competing solely on triple-play pricing.

"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."

NFL Network www.nflnetwork.com 
Verizon Communications Inc. www.verizon.com

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