TV Guide Launches First Verizon Wireless V CAST Program Listing

BASKING RIDGE, NJ and LOS ANGELES — TV Guide Mobile Entertainment Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. (NASDAQ: GMST), a leading media, entertainment and technology company, and Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation’s most reliable national wireless broadband network, yesterday announced a relationship that brings the V CAST program listing to TVGuide.com, and offers a new entertainment channel from TV Guide to V CAST customers.

As a result of the joint agreement, TVGuide.com will feature V CAST program listings, Verizon Wireless’ first ever mobile service listings. The V CAST program listings are expected to be available on TVGuide.com sometime in the second quarter of this year. TV Guide’s media platforms will promote this new online feature.

In addition, Verizon Wireless customers with select V CAST-enabled phones will be able to view TV Guide programming in the TV To Go section. TV Guide Channel will create more than 30 new mobile episodes per week focused on popular TV shows and celebrities.

V CAST from Verizon Wireless is the first true wireless broadband consumer multimedia service in the country and runs on Verizon Wireless’ Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) network, available to more than 200 million Americans from coast to coast. With V CAST Video, customers can get video content on demand including news, weather and sports updates, clips from popular TV programs, music videos, movie trailers, 3D games and more.

John Harrobin, vice president of digital media for Verizon Wireless, said, “The TV Guide platform helps Verizon Wireless extend V CAST in new and innovative ways, helping new customers discover why V CAST is the most popular mobile video service in the market. Our relationship with TV Guide serves as another example of how we are expanding the experience our customers expect on their mobile phones.”

Bob Shallow, vice president and general manager, TV Guide Mobile Entertainment Group, said, “We’re delighted with our relationship with Verizon Wireless and the significant opportunity it represents to distribute TV Guide video programming to mobile users. We believe Verizon Wireless’ customers will benefit from our short-form programming and V CAST program listings on TVGuide.com. At TV Guide Mobile, we remain focused on bridging the gap between television, the Internet and the growing mobile arena.”

To get V CAST, customers with select V CAST-enabled phones can check out V CAST from their phones for just $3.00 for a 24-hour use subscription or by signing up for the $15.00 V CAST VPak monthly subscription. Customers get unlimited basic video – including the TV Guide V CAST Video channel – but application download fees apply for 3D games and premium video. There are no airtime charges to download, stream or watch V CAST content.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

via Verizon Wireless