Verizon Revamping FiOS TV to Halt Sub Skid

7 Jun, 2017 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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Verizon reportedly is testing a new FiOS TV interface and operating system in an effort to stop video subscriber losses — which totaled 13,000 in the telecom’s most-recent fiscal period. It added 43,000 video subs in the previous-year period.

Select FiOS TV subs were asked to participate in the trial of “advanced TV features,” a spokesperson confirmed to FierceCable.

The updates, which include a new digital-TV standard, will be made available to all FiOS TV subs later this summer.

Regardless, Verizon realizes the traditional pay-TV ecosystem is under siege as increasing numbers of subs seek less-expensive options online.

The telecom, which has been on a steep learning curve following the launch of ad-supported mobile streaming service Go90, is eyeing including original content from recent acquisitions AOL and Yahoo on an undisclosed online TV platform.

Verizon last year entered into a license agreement with Hearst Communications for undisclosed programming, in addition to streaming National Women’s Soccer League matches on Go90.

“We're learning a lot there,” CEO Lowell McAdam said on a fiscal call last month regarding women's soccer league. “It's getting a lot of viewership. So the platform will be in place to do an over-the-top sort of play. And we'll go out and test it, but we have not committed to a launch date or anything. We're going to see how this evolves.”

Indeed, Verizon shareholders June 8 in a special meeting will vote on the $4.5 billion Yahoo acquisition, which many say is just a formality. Not so is the reported revamping of the telecom’s digital media group — Oath — including job cuts totaling 1,000. 

“With access to over 1 billion consumers upon close, we will be positioned to drive one of the most important platforms in the consumer brand space,” a spokesperson told Re/code. "Consistent with what we have said since the deal was announced, we will be aligning our global organization to the strategy.”

 

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