3D Content Will Include the Masters Golf Tournament and the NBA Playoffs

Verizon FiOS TV will launch ESPN 3D on April 5, in time to bring sports fans outstanding 3D content including the Masters Golf Tournament and the NBA playoffs.  ESPN 3D, the industry’s first 3D network, will be viewable for FiOS TV customers who have a 3D television set, 3D glasses and a high-definition set-top box.  The channel will be included at no extra charge for FiOS TV customers who subscribe to the Ultimate HD package, or on its own for $9.99 per month.

“The launch of ESPN 3D on FiOS TV marks an exciting addition for our customers, giving them 24/7 access to 3D programming for the first time,” said Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon.  “We continue to enhance our FiOS TV offering, with interactive applications, online video programming, and more and more 3D programming.  And with the addition of ESPN 3D, our customers will get exciting sports programming that includes the Masters and NBA playoffs – all in 3D.”

With the addition of Verizon, ESPN 3D is now available in more than 65 million homes.  The network is on track to feature nearly 100 events in its first year. Upcoming programming highlights include:

Date                                         Time (ET)                     Event

Wednesday, April 6                   3 p.m.                           2011 Masters Par 3 contest

Thursday, April 7                       5:30 p.m.                      2011 Masters First Round

Friday, April 8                           5:30 p.m.                      2011 Masters Second Round

Saturday, April 9                       5 p.m.                           2011 Masters Third Round

Sunday, April 10                        5 p.m.                           2011 Masters Final Round

Saturday, April 16                      TBD                              NBA Playoffs (Game 1 – First Round)

Saturday, April 23                      TBD                              NBA Playoffs (Game 4 — First Round)

Thursday, May 5                        TBD                              NBA Conference Semifinal (Game 2)

Tuesday, May 17                       TBD                              NBA Conference Finals (Game 1)

Thursday, May 19                      TBD                              NBA Conference Finals (Game 2)

Wednesday, May 25                  TBD                              NBA Conference Finals (Game 4)

ESPN 3D has featured two college championships crowned on the new network (Bowl Championship Series in January and the BIG EAST tournament) and will feature the upcoming NBA Finals in June. ESPN 3D has also highlighted college football, college basketball, Winter and Summer X Games and more during the first year.  It began showing 3D content 24 hours a day on February 14.

ESPN 3D joins FiOS TV’s broad collection of programming, which offers a growing number of 3D movies on Video on Demand as well as more than 520 all-digital channels including up to 145 HD channels.  ESPN programming is also available online to FiOS subscribers, with live streaming of ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Buzzer Beater/Goal Line available at www.verizon.com/fiostvonline or www.ESPNnetworks.com.  FiOS also provides next-generation interactive services including an advanced interactive media guide; social networking, news and entertainment widgets; remote DVR management via broadband or cell phone; and more.

For the latest news, updates and information about FiOS TV, visit www.verizon.com/newscenter  and https://www.verizon.com/athomeblog.

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About Verizon:

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving 94.1 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

About ESPN 3D:

ESPN was the first to announce in the United States an exclusive 3D network in January 2010, which was the culmination of more than three years of testing 3D television.  ESPN produced many 3D domestic telecasts in 2010, including: college football and basketball, the State Farm Home Run Derby, the Masters, the Harlem Globetrotters and NBA games.  ESPN 3D first produced the USC vs. Ohio State college football game in September 2009, which became the starting point for the network. ESPN has developed best practices for utilizing and producing 3D technology in live game applications.  In addition, ESPN utilizes cutting-edge technology located at the ESPN Innovation Lab in Orlando at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World to continue to develop innovative production enhancements.  ESPN 3D is available in the United States to approximately 62.5 million households and has carriage agreements with AT&T U-Verse, Comcast, DIRECTV, Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS TV.  Sony was named the first official sponsor of the network in January 2010.