Verizon introduced FiOS TV in the Town of Hempstead on Long Island, offering a true choice for subscription television and on-demand programming via the company's all-digital, fiber-optic network. Verizon is the first company to offer such a communications network, connecting homes and businesses directly to fiber optics on a widespread scale.

Verizon began taking orders for its fiber-optic TV services today in parts of the Town of Hempstead's unincorporated villages of Baldwin, Bellmore, North Bellmore, Merrick, North Merrick, Roosevelt, Seaford and Wantagh. The Hempstead Town Board voted unanimously on April 4 to grant the company a franchise to provide television services for the town's unincorporated villages. Verizon will work with each of the incorporated villages to expand FiOS TV's availability to more households.

"Today, the Town of Hempstead's residents are given an outstanding, superior choice for their video entertainment," said Monica Azare, Verizon senior vice president for New York and Connecticut. "Verizon is delivering on its commitment to the Town Board to deliver FiOS TV ahead of schedule and make it widely available. No longer will consumers be at the mercy of a single cable TV company. They'll have Verizon FiOS TV.

"Customers who liked what FiOS did for their Internet connection will love what it does for their TV. We've harnessed the speed and capacity of fiber-based broadband with the power of broadcast to create a revolutionary, new entertainment experience," said Azare.

The Town of Hempstead's residents, along with all other Verizon FiOS-TV-eligible customers in New York State, now have the option to trim their monthly bills by bundling FiOS TV service, FiOS Internet service and the Verizon Freedom Values unlimited calling plan - all for under $95.

Service highlights include:

• A broad collection of all-digital programming and compelling consumer choice - with more than 400 total channels and more on the way.
• An initial service package of more than 180 digital video and music channels for $39.95. With an annual savings agreement, customers can choose either $5 off the monthly Movie Package price or waive the monthly standard definition set-top box fee of $3.95.
• More than 20 high-definition (HD) channels, with extraordinary clarity and theater-quality sound.
• Over 2,500 on-demand titles available to customers now, increasing to over 3,500 titles in the next several months.
• Channels grouped by programming genres such as entertainment, sports, news, shopping, movies and family entertainment, making it easy for audiences to find their favorite programming.
• An easy-to-use interactive programming guide that integrates HD programming, on-demand content and the digital video recorder along with broadcast television into a seamless user experience.
• A dual-tuner, HD-capable Digital Video Recorder (DVR) that gives customers the freedom to pause and rewind live TV, record two shows simultaneously, and fast forward to their favorite part of the program - all without a VCR, tapes or DVDs. Information on packages and prices is available at now www.verizon.com/fiostv. Customers also can call 1-800-880-2941 to see if they are able to order FiOS TV.

Customers in the Town of Hempstead join the Long Island community of Massapequa Park and the Rockland County communities of Nyack, South Nyack and Upper Nyack as FiOS TV markets in New York. Verizon will begin offering FiOS TV to other New York communities where it has franchise agreements, including Long Island's village of Cedarhurst and Town of Oyster Bay, following approval by the New York State Public Service Commission.

"We look forward to negotiations with many other towns and villages on Long Island and elsewhere in the state," said Azare. "We want to deliver FiOS TV and high-speed Internet services to consumers as quickly as possible."

In addition to New York, FiOS TV is also available to customers in parts of six other states: California, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Texas and Virginia.