The Worship Network Becomes Part Of Verizon’s Promising Fios Tv Digital Channel Line-Up

Nashville, TN– In an agreement announced last week by ION Media, The Worship Network will be added to the digital channel line-up of Verizon’s groundbreaking FiOS TV, according to Bruce Koblish, president of the Worship Network.

ION Media, formerly known as PAX, negotiated a carriage agreement with Verizon under which Verizon FiOS TV will carry ION Television, ION’s flagship network, and ION’s 24-hour multi-cast diginets, which include The Worship Network as well as qubo, ION Life and iMetro. The anticipated launch date on Verizon FiOS network is July 1, 2007.

Making it possible for The Worship Network to be part of the Verizon deal is a long-term agreement between ION and The Worship Network which allows for The Worship Network’s programming to be carried in all ION markets as one of the 24-hour multi-cast digital channels and for The Worship Network to be included under additional carriage agreements ION is negotiating.

As one of the innovators in delivering triple-play service (phone, internet, television) to consumers, Verizon provides its FiOS TV over an advanced fiber-optic network, straight to customers' homes. Verizon FiOS TV offers all-digital programming, more than two dozen high-definition channels, 8,600 video-on-demand titles and more. Verizon FiOS TV is currently available to nearly seven million households in parts of California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia, with growth projections that give FiOS TV a 35-40 percent market penetration by 2010.

“As the country prepares to make the transition to all digital television in 2009, Verizon’s FiOS TV is a formidable and innovative player, and The Worship Network applauds ION Media for reaching this agreement,” said Koblish. “Becoming part of FiOS programming line-up now has immediate benefits and will also yield unlimited dividends in the near future as Verizon continues to exponentially grow its triple-play service. As importantly, we believe this new relationship helps to position The Worship Network as a unique and viable programming choice, particularly as content becomes available across many new and emerging platforms.”