Disney/ABC, ESPN and Verizon announced today that full-length news, entertainment and sports videos will be available on V CAST. Full episodes of shows like “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost” and “Hannah Montana,” be on V CAST the day after their television premiere.
Verizon customers will also be able to view more from ESPN, including short news clips and other sports content.
From the release:
“We are excited to team with Verizon to bring an even more extensive, comprehensive array of multi-brand, world-class programming to V CAST customers,” said Matt Murphy, senior vice president of digital video distribution, Disney and ESPN Media Networks. “As we continue expanding the ways viewers can connect to the content they want and brands they love on the platforms they choose, Verizon has been a true ally. In the past year, we’ve not only teamed to offer full episodes on wireless, but have also worked together to bring ESPN Deportes to more Verizon FiOS customers, to make popular ABC series available via fast-forward disabled VOD and to launch new iTV applications like ESPN’s Fantasy Football.”
“Mobile customers with active lifestyles like the convenience of watching their favorite TV programs when they are on the go or away from their homes,” said Terry Denson, vice president, content strategy and acquisition at Verizon. “We’re excited to add so many hit shows from ABC and the Disney Channel to the V CAST Video lineup, providing fresh and familiar favorites that are easy to find for our customers.”
What we think?
Ok, first things first, this a good service. Mobile TV content is growing at a staggering rate… but is there a market there to support it? The number of new TV and video services that have been released this year is huge, but the majority of people still don’t watch TV on their mobiles. We’ve already seen one casualty. How many new services can be borne by a fairly small number of people?
