Verizon announced it will provide New England Patriots video-on-demand programming to FiOS TV subscribers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island for no extra charge.
While the same video content also is available on the New England Patriots' Web site, http://www.patriots.com,Verizon touted the ability to watch it on big-screen HDTV.
The addition of Patriots content to the VOD service, called FiOS1 Local Zone, is part of a multiyear marketing deal, under which Verizon is the team's "official telecommunications partner." Programming includes news conferences with coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady; player interviews; Patriots Today, a daily show featuring reports, commentary and analysis of the team; and The Making of the Patriots Cheerleader Calendar video.
"Our Patriots programming is just another example of the terrific content you can get on FiOS TV and you can't get from cable companies," Verizon senior vice president of marketing Ellen Corcoran said in a statement.
In the Boston area, FiOS TV competes primarily with Comcast.
As part of the Patriots partnership, Verizon is sponsoring a sweepstakes giving away four tickets and a VIP package to the Nov. 22 matchup with the New York Jets. Fans can enter to win on the Patriots' Web site at www.patriots.com/gridironchallenge.
