Verizon brings NFL Games online

Football
fans who subscribe to video and broadband services with Verizon will soon enjoy
NFL Network Game Extra, a unique service that puts viewers in a virtual control
booth and enables them to watch live, online broadcasts of Thursday and
Saturday pro football games while selecting from among multiple camera-feeds.

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.

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

“The
best NFL experience this year is with Verizon,” said Bill Heilig, vice
president Verizon consumer broadband product development. “We’re bringing
our customers exciting new ways to expand their already rich television viewing
through a highly interactive, online experience that gives them unprecedented
control over what they see and hear on the field, plus the ability to take the
action with them wherever they go.”

Brian
Rolapp, the NFL’s senior vice president of media strategy and digital media,
said, “The powerful combination of TV and online programming allows fans
to view alternate camera angles, watch replays and tap into game stats and
highlights, whenever and wherever they find a broadband connection.”

The NFL
Network Game Extra service is available to consumers who subscribe to either
Verizon FiOS or Verizon High Speed Internet service, plus either Verizon FiOS
TV or DIRECTV through Verizon. Verizon is the only Internet service provider to
deliver NFL Network programming over broadband.

NFL Network
Game Extra 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 on Nov. 22.

“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.”