Verizon has cut a deal with Walt Disney Co. for a wide variety of content, including sports, entertainment and feeds from ABC affiliates. The agreement included a new twist for Verizon – live online access to ESPN content.
With the deal, FiOS subscribers will be allowed to watch on any connected computer a set of ESPN channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Buzzer Beater.
Verizon and ESPN said they plan to make the programming available on other Internet-enabled devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, in the near future.
In addition to the ESPN channels, Verizon secured rights to ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney XD and the soon-to-be-launched Disney Junior, as well as retransmission consent for local ABC broadcast stations.
“Expanding our online video content to include the ESPN networks provides our FiOS customers with some of the best in sports programming, right at their fingertips,” said Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon. “Whether watching FiOS on your TV, PC or mobile device, Verizon continues to make it easy for customers to view a growing amount of programming while on the go.”