Verizon's FiOS TV Tests "Community Studio" Model

Verizon is developing a new pilot program called "Community Studio" that will feature on demand content of interest to diverse viewers. The Community Studio concept emerged in discussions between Verizon and more than 35 civil rights leaders.



Slated to begin in the second quarter of 2006, Community Studio will offer viewers a library of public interest and civil rights content each month. Customers will use Verizon's video-on-demand (VOD) service to watch Community Studio programs.



Initial partners in Verizon's Community Studio venture are the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, National Hispanic Media Coalition, American Association for People with Disabilities, Black Leadership Forum and U.S. Distance Learning Association.



TVN Entertainment will provide a number of hours of encoding, asset management and distribution services to the public interest organizations as part of the project. VN is Verizon's VOD service provider and furnishes the backend support, transport and advanced element management tools for Verizon's VOD offering.



Placement of content will be at the discretion of Verizon, which will provide this pilot service free to participating national organizations.

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