New England Cable News, the country's largest regional news network, joins the Verizon FiOS TV lineup today. Verizon and NECN have agreed that NECN will be carried on Verizon FiOS TV in New England markets.

NECN will be available to subscribers of FiOS TV Premier, Verizon's most popular package, on Channel 82. NECN initially will be available in Woburn, Reading and Lynnfield, Mass., where Verizon offers FiOS TV service. Verizon will also carry the channel in future New England markets as it obtains cable franchises and launches service. Last night (May 30), Verizon was awarded a video franchise in Tewksbury, Mass., and it received franchises in Wakefield, Hamilton and Wenham, Mass., last week.

"Verizon is dedicated to bringing FiOS TV customers the best mix of local and national programming," said Terry Denson, vice president of FiOS TV content strategy and acquisition. "We know that New England viewers count on NECN for news, sports and lifestyle programming, and we're thrilled to add this award-winning network to the FiOS TV lineup."

NECN President and Founder Philip S. Balboni said, "NECN is proud to partner with Verizon and its innovative new television venture. The station's growth in programming and in subscribers has been dramatic, and this new agreement with Verizon ensures that NECN will continue to be able to offer the very best news and weather coverage for all New Englanders."

NECN serves more than 3.5 million homes in over 1,000 cities and towns throughout New England. Launched on March 2, 1992, NECN is a partnership between Comcast and the Hearst Corporation and provides 24-hour access to breaking news, sports, weather and traffic. NECN also offers in-depth public affairs shows featuring local and national news makers, and it is one of the only television news stations in the country to have a documentary unit. Besides news, NECN carries two popular lifestyle shows, "TV Diner" and "New England Dream House."