Verizon Wireless adds CBS programming to V Cast

By Dan Butcher

January 13, 2009

CSI on a BlackBerry Storm

Verizon Wireless and CBS have partnered to bring new and expanded CBS programming to the carrier's television and wireless customers.

Verizon Wireless has broadened and extended its rights for retransmission consent for CBS' owned-and-operated television stations, network and local video-on-demand for the FiOS TV platform, as well as mobile rights for the carrier's V Cast video service.

"This is an extension and expansion of our existing relationship with CBS," said Debra Lewis, spokeswoman for Verizon Wireless, Basking Ridge, NJ. "They have great programming, and we're excited to continue bringing it to Verizon customers."��

CBS said that making its content available on mobile phones enhances the network's profile on a key emerging platform.

Under the new agreement, Verizon Wireless has secured mobile rights for full episodes of several CBS entertainment and news programs, including shows from prime-time, daytime and the news program "60 Minutes."

Customers can watch their network TV shows, sports and breaking news, including weather reports

Adding full episodes builds on the CBS content already available to Verizon Wireless V Cast subscribers.

The expanded agreements also provide national video-on-demand rights for programs in both standard and high-definition format, including such shows as "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "NCIS," "Survivor," and "Numb3rs," as well as video-on-demand rights for local news, also in SD and HD.

Also, Verizon Wireless will continue to offer CBS programming on Verizon FiOS TV, its all-digital fiber-optic TV service, which is available in parts of 14 states and reaches more than 1.6 million subscribers.

CBS is using Medio-powered mobile search

Other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Now that its acquisition of Alltel has been finalized, Verizon Wireless operates the No. 1 wireless network nationwide.

There are more than 20 different devices with V Cast Video, including the LG Dare and the LG Voyager.�

"We promote V CAST in our stores and other venues," Ms. Lewis said. "Over the past couple months -- beginning at the CTIA IT show in September -- we've announced numerous agreements to bring full-length programs from many different providers to V CAST customers.

"We know our customers like to see fresh, familiar content on their phones, and we'll focus on bringing them these exciting programs," she said.