Verizon FiOS this week launched a "freeview" of its Spanish-language package, enabling current FiOS TV customers to sample for free, and during an entire week (Oct. 19-25), a package of 27 channels that is normally available for an additional $11.99 per month with a subscription of FiOS TV Essentials or FiOS TV Extreme HD.
The freeview is part of an unprecedented partnership with CNN and CNN en Español to allow viewers to watch the much-anticipated Latino in America, a two-part documentary series that airs Oct. 21 and Oct. 22 on CNN. The documentary will be simulcast on CNN en Español as Ser Latino en America.
As part of the deal, CNN agreed to have Latino in America host Soledad O'Brien pitch the FiOS promotion in a series of television spots that are running in specific markets within the Verizon FiOS footprint. "It is a very interesting partnership, and the first time we open up our Spanish-language package for an entire week," said Joe Paz, Hispanic marketing manager for Verizon Telecom.
Verizon doesn't break down the composition of subscribers, but according to Paz, there are an estimated 3 million Hispanic households within the Verizon footprint. These are households that have either been identified or self-identified as Hispanics.
In addition to the Spanish-language package, Verizon also offers La Conexión, a package that offers more than 120 channels in English and Spanish for $39.99 a month.
