MUMBAI: Verizon FiOS TV video-on-demand customers in record numbers watched an advance showing of Disney Channel’s High School Musical 2 last week, as the popularity of VOD on FiOS TV continues to soar.
“Our customers were among the first to see the summer’s hottest television movie phenomenon, and we are thrilled with the response. Customers jumped at the chance to see the sneak peek, which in many markets was only available on FiOS TV. This is another example of the enriched entertainment experiences available through Verizon,” said Verizon FiOS TV content and programming vice president Terry Denson.
The highly anticipated sequel to the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical was available on FiOS TV’s On Demand library a week prior to the movie’s worldwide 17 August premiere on Disney Channel. It quickly became the single most-watched VOD title in Verizon FiOS TV history, and viewings continue to add up. “High School Musical 2” will be available on Verizon VOD until 30 September.
In addition to the VOD showings, Verizon’s more than seven million FiOS Internet and Verizon High Speed Internet customers can access High School Musical 2 content in Disney Connection within the Kids area of the VerizonSurround entertainment portal (http://www.verizonsurround.com/kids). The content includes a brand-new game, behind-the-scenes video footage and a complete guide to planning a High School Musical 2 party. The public can also visit VerizonSurround to enter a sweepstakes for a grand prize of the ultimate barbeque party for the winner’s school or community organization, complete with a visit from one of the High School Musical 2 cast members.
Video-on-Demand Activity Increases Tenfold
High School Musical 2 is the latest addition to Verizon’s video-on-demand service, which is more popular than ever among FiOS TV customers. Monthly VOD activity on Verizon FiOS TV reached 10 million requests in July, a tenfold increase in 10 months, driven in part by the growth of FiOS TV’s customer base and On Demand library. Verizon now has more than 8,600 titles available on demand per month, and more than 60 percent of them are free to FiOS TV customers.
Verizon’s selection of on-demand programs and films crosses many genres and touches all age groups and interests. Its collection of on-demand programming for children is one of the largest in the industry. In addition to a portfolio of more than 100 Disney Channel titles, Verizon also offers family-friendly titles from Discovery Kids, Nickelodeon, PBS Kids Sprout and other programmers.
Verizon also presents several thousand free programs on demand, with topics ranging from “Info Education” and “Home and Leisure” to sports and music. For example, customers can see reviews of the latest electronic products from CNET, and they can watch nearly 2,000 music videos from all parts of the world. Also available are more than 300 videos that customers can download on their Verizon V CAST mobile service.
In the pay category, customers can select recent movie releases for $3.99 each and other films for $2.99 each. In addition, subscribers to HBO, Cinemax or FiOS TV’s Movie Package automatically have on-demand access to past and present episodes of original programming like The Sopranos as well as movie releases.
