It's a touchdown for National Football League fans as NFL Network moves to Verizon FiOS TV's most popular programming package in time for the 2006 preseason.

Beginning Aug. 1, NFL Network will be found in FiOS TV Premier, the 180-plus channel, all-digital programming package selected by most FiOS TV customers. In addition to NFL Network's regular programming, Verizon also carries NFL Network's high-definition feed and NFL Network on Demand. NFL Network previously was part of the FiOS TV Sports package, which delivers more than a dozen different sports channels for $5.95 per month.

"It was an easy call to make NFL Network, with its live games, football news and features, available to more FiOS TV customers," said Terry Denson, vice president of FiOS TV content strategy and acquisition. "And as more viewers embrace high-definition TV, they can watch their favorite NFL football teams in stunningly brilliant high definition on our fiber-optic network. It's another way we're making FiOS TV an even greater value for our customers."

Said Brian Decker, vice president of national accounts for NFL Network, "Verizon has embraced NFL Network's product, and we look forward to expanding our relationship and working with them to create great awareness for both of our services."

NFL Network will televise 168 games nationally during the 2006 season, including 52 preseason games and a regular-season primetime game package debuting this Thanksgiving. With NFL Network's exclusive access to key league events, football fans will be able to choose from nearly 2,000 original hours of programming on NFL Network.