Verizon Wireless is rolling out a video application on select smartphones to let consumers watch their favorite content while on the go.

The new features television, sports and news program videos. The service is featured on five devices ?  the HTC Thunderbolt, Samsung Charge, LG Revolution, HTC Incredible 2 and Motorola Droid X with plans to expand in the coming months.
 
?Mobile video consumption has grown significantly since we launched the Android platform in Nov. of 2009,? said Jeffrey Nelson, executive director of corporate communications at Verizon, Basking Ridge, NJ.

?Our customers have demonstrated they are interested watching video on their mobile device,? he said. ?Due to this growth, we expect mobile to play an increasingly important role in the development of the video industry.?

Verizon Wireless serves 106.3 million wireless connections worldwide.

Instant watch
The new video features are available on all Verizon 4G smartphones and select 3G models.

Users can download the app from the Android market.

To preview  the feature, consumers can  download a free trial with select video clips. After the trial ends, consumers can add Verizon Video for $10 a month or try a full-version that lasts 24 hours for $3.

Additionally, users must have a data package to sign up for the service.

This service is also overtaking Verizon?s V Cast program, and current V Cast subscribers will be prompted to update the app under the Verizon Video name.

Verizon Video offers consumers 250 full-episode television shows on more than 100 channels, such as NBC, ABC, MTV, CNBC and ESPN. The content also overlaps with some of Netflix?s mobile offerings.

Sports fans will have access to Verizon?s partnership programs with sport video content, including NFL RedZone, NBC?s Sunday Night Football and the NFL network.

?Our announcement today on Verizon Video is about delivering an easy-to-use app with compelling content, excellent video quality and enhanced ways to discover and share content with friends,? Mr. Nelson said.

?We are actively working to develop an ecosystem that encourages innovation and consumption of video on mobile,? he said.

Added screens
The Verizon Video news is only further proof of a bigger trend in mobile ? users want unlimited access to video content on multiple devices simultaneously.

Verizon Video is the carrier?s attempt at competing against similar services on other carriers, such as Apple?s Apple TV.

Not only do consumers want video on their handsets, they also want to engage with it on a deeper level than they can with television sets, which includes companion apps and guides.

Final Take
Lauren Johnson is editorial assistant on Mobile Marketer, New York