Verizon’s TV Everywhere-type service with Turner Broadcasting System has gone live, which gives its FiOS customers access to TNT and Turner shows within 24 hours of their original air date on linear TV.
Verizon and Turner have been working on the TV Everywhere project for some time ever since Verizon took Turner parent company Time Warner up on its offer last year for its online TV Everywhere content. The two companies further talked up the arrangement at The Cable Show in May.
Turner’s online content is available for free to FiOS subscribers via the TBS and TNT Web portals, as well as Verizon’s Web portal.
The content comes in both SD and HD for FiOS-authenticated subscribers and includes “The Closer,” “Southland” and “Lopez Tonight.”
Turner said it expects to launch additional networks over the next few months. Verizon launched a TV Everywhere service from HBO in February and a similar offering from Epix last year.
“We are excited about this deployment and the next iteration of authenticated multi-screen content distribution,” said Andrew Heller, vice chairman of TBS. “It is more imperative than ever that TV Everywhere gains traction throughout the industry given the rapid deployment of tablets and the ability of mobile devices to display long-form video directly from Web sites.”
Adobe Systems is providing the authentication for FiOS users of the service through its Flash Technology, while FreeWheel is providing ad support and measurement. Starting in September, FreeWheel will help Verizon monetize the content beyond C3 on programmer sites or distributor portals, in addition to Nielsen’s measurement of C3 video across linear, online and VOD offerings.
“As we progress with bringing more and more video content to FiOS TV Online, solutions like this bring us one step further in delivering real-world value for consumers,” said Shawn Strickland, vice president of consumer strategy for Verizon. “These new solutions from Adobe and FreeWheel have integrated well with Verizon’s proven platform, helping to seamlessly provide our FiOS TV subscribers with anytime, anywhere access to programming. We look forward to bringing our customers more online programming from Turner and other programming partners.”
Verizon has previously said it was working with a number of content providers on additional online programming including Fox News, CBS, MTV Networks, Hallmark Channel, Smithsonian Channel and the Tennis Channel.