Verizon adds exclusive channels ahead of AT&T planned TV launch

Verizon Wireless is going toe-to-toe with AT&T Mobility on broadcast television services from MediaFLO USA Inc.
Less than two hours after AT&T Mobility announced plans to launch AT&T Mobile TV with FLO in May with two exclusive channels, Verizon Wireless announced it will be adding two exclusive channels of its own – immediately.
The No. 2 carrier announced that it will be adding a mobile simulcast of ESPN Radio and MTV Tr3s, MTV’s bilingual channel. Meanwhile, AT&T is keeping people guessing as to exactly when the broadcast service will launch in May and what content will be featured on the exclusive pair of channels.
The additional pair of channels beefs up the carriers broadcast offerings from ESPN and MTV. The ESPN Radio channel will include programs such as “SportsCenterAM,” “Mike and Mike in the Morning,” “GameNight,” “The Pulse” and “Pardon the Interruption.”
“With updated sports news, expert commentary and exclusive interviews, ESPN Radio on Vcast Mobile TV is a perfect way for sports fans to stay connected,” John Zehr, senior VP of digital production at ESPN, said in a prepared statement.
MTV Tr3s will feature “Sucker Free Latino,” “Karlifornia,” “Quiero Mis Quinces,” “Pimpeando,” and “Rock Dinner.”
“As we talked about relevant channels to bring to our Vcast Mobile TV customers, MTV Tr3s was a perfect fit because of its popularity among bicultural U.S. Latinos,” Ryan Hughes, VP of digital media programming at the carrier, said in a prepared statement.
“Vcast Mobile TV is the perfect partner to help our audience of young Latinos connect to their favorite broadcast-quality shows while on-the-go,”
added Lucia Ballas-Traynor, senior VP and general manager of MTV Tr3s.
Finally, the carrier boasted the one-year lead time it already enjoys over AT&T Mobility with the service. Verizon Wireless launched Vcast Mobile TV last March. To date, it has not released official subscriber numbers for the service.