Verizon took a step forward in its video plans this week after inking a distribution deal with Discovery Communications. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Verizon — which expects to pass 1 million homes with its fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) “FiOS” platform this year, and 3 million homes by the end of 2005 — said the deal gives it access to Discovery HD Theater, Discovery On Demand, and the company’s raft of linear standard-def networks (TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, BBC America, et al).

Verizon plans to begin rolling out video services next year. It has already tapped Motorola to supply set-tops and headend gear.