Verizon Signs Distribution Deal with Si TV

Verizon Signs Distribution Deal with Si TV

Channel Targeting Young Latinos to Be Part of Verizon's Diverse Programming

NEW YORK, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon today announced a programming- distribution agreement with Si TV, the only English-language Latino network in the United States. Under the agreement, Verizon will carry the channel on Verizon FiOS TV when it launches later this year.

Si TV will complement other major cable and network channels, including those targeting Hispanic viewers, that will be available to Verizon customers.

"We are pleased to offer Si TV, which features fresh programming aimed at young Latinos," said Terry Denson, vice president of programming and marketing for Verizon FiOS TV. "Si TV will be instrumental in advancing our commitment to provide increased content choice and diversity to FiOS TV customers."

Jeff Valdez, co-founder and chairman of Si TV, said, "We are excited to add Verizon to our growing list of carriers. Both operators and advertisers realize the value of our target demographic: the new 'Latino Generation Si,' which are young, English-dominant urban Latinos that make up 60 percent of all U.S. Hispanic spending."

Lisa Navarrete, vice president of the Office of Public Information at the National Council of La Raza, said, "We are pleased to see Verizon reaching out to the Latino community with this commitment. We commend Verizon for their support of Si TV, a network that has been instrumental in raising the profile of Latinos on TV." The National Council of La Raza is the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States.

Verizon FiOS TV will offer customers a competitive alternative to cable or satellite. FiOS TV will deliver hundreds of digital video channels, high- definition programming, video-on-demand content, music channels, an interactive programming guide and other customer-friendly features via the company's fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband network. Verizon is already constructing FTTP networks in parts of 14 states, half the states where it offers landline communications services.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About Si TV

Si TV is an English-language, Latino network featuring hip and irreverent culturally relevant programming targeting the growing young Latino and multi-cultural TV audience. The network has forged affiliation agreements with Comcast Cable, Adelphia, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Grande Communications, while EchoStar's DISH Network features Si TV as part of its "America's Top 120" package. Investors in the network include EchoStar Communications Corporation, Time Warner Inc., SYNCOM Funds, Columbia Capital, Rho Ventures, DND Capital Partners, Llano Partners and company co-founder Barshop Ventures. Founded and chaired by writer/producer Jeff Valdez and entrepreneur Bruce Barshop, Si TV was established in 1997 as a production company to develop, produce and distribute original English-language, Latino- themed entertainment. For more info visit us online at http://www.sitv.com/ .

About Verizon

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of 212,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com/ .

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

Source: Verizon

CONTACT: Sharon Cohen-Hagar, Verizon, +1-972-718-6205,
sharon.cohen-hagar@verizon.com; Luz Maria Castellanos, Si TV, +1-323-543-2778,
lmcastellanos@sitv.com

Web site: http://www.verizon.com/
http://www.sitv.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/094251.html

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