Verizon has introduced an Internet radio application for those customers who subscribe to its FiOS TV and FiOS Internet services, allowing subscribers to listen to hundreds of radio stations nationwide via the TV or PC.
While the Internet Radio product is available nationwide to FiOS customers who subscribe to both pay TV and high-speed Internet services, Verizon describes the launch as a “beta” offering, noting that it wants to get feedback from subscribers who use it.
Verizon struck a deal with radio giant Clear Channel Communications to use that company’s iHeart Radio app, which gives subscribers access to 387 stations nationwide in 19 genres, including Dance, Active Rock, Country, and Alternative. Subscribers will also be able to use the FiOS TV Media Manager application to add other radio stations to the Internet Radio application, and to listen to them either on a PC or a TV.
“We pre-populate it with over 350 options. But also for folks that are a little more savvy and comfortable with using their computer to customize their TV experience, they can actually go surf the Internet, find that URL with the radio station that they’re most interested in, and add that right into their TV experience,” said Joe Ambeault, Verizon’s director of consumer product management and entertainment services.
The Internet Radio application uses the FiOS TV Media Manager platform, which Verizon also uses to allow FiOS customers to program their DVRs remotely.