Verizon in Public Broadcasting Multicast Carriage Deal

WASHINGTON, June 16: Verizon has reached a deal to offer
subscribers of its FiOS pay-TV package access to up to three public TV stations
within a given service area, through an agreement with the Association of
Public Television Stations (APTS) and PBS.

Under the multiyear agreement,
every Verizon FiOS TV system will carry the full digital signal of up to three
public television stations within the system's service area, as well as any
additional noncommercial station that does not duplicate programming of another
station in the market. The agreement also includes PBS and local public
television stations' HDTV programming and local stations' digital multicasts.
The digital multicast services currently include PBS Kids Go!, Viva TV, World,
and Create.

Verizon FiOS TV is available in
parts of California, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia and
Texas.

APTS President and CEO John
Lawson noted, "This agreement is a major step forward for public service
media in our country… At a time when some in Congress question the important
contribution that public television stations make to the communities they
serve, Verizon's commitment to public television and to delivering high-quality
programming to its growing television-customer base is significant. The
agreement also recognizes the unique role that public broadcasters play in
national homeland defense efforts and provides for carriage of emergency public
safety information."

PBS President and CEO Paula A.
Kerger added, "The digital future holds extraordinary promise for public
television. As more Americans take
advantage of the wonders of technology, it is crucial they have access to the
trusted, valuable content that PBS and its member stations provide. Our
partnership with Verizon helps ensure viewers will be able to continue watching
public television. It is an important part of a broader effort to ensure PBS
and its member stations remain a daily part of American life."