Advanced Television

Scripps content for Verizon’s mobile video offering

June 26, 2015

Verizon has announced a multi-year content licensing agreement with lifestyle video content developer Scripps Networks Interactive, for the telco’s mobile first video offering. The agreement includes content from Scripps Networks Interactive brands including Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, DIY Network and Cooking Channel and will be available to Verizon Wireless customers later this year.

More than 45 compelling lifestyle series will be available for streaming on the mobile first video offering including House Hunters, (HGTV), Cutthroat Kitchen (Food Network), Bizarre Foods, (Travel Channel), Rehab Addict (DIY Network) and My Grandmother’s Ravioli (Cooking Channel).

“As mobile consumption continues to increase, it’s important that we provide audiences with the opportunity to enjoy the series and videos they love across the fullest possible range of devices,” said Henry Ahn, executive vice president of content distribution for Scripps Networks Interactive. “Great content will always connect with audiences, and this agreement with Verizon provides new and existing viewers with another way to engage with our powerful lifestyle brands.”

“Beyond convenience, it is first-choice content on a first-choice platform,” said Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition at Verizon. “And being able to deliver this seamlessly via mobile, to an audience that is passionate about these genres is that much more powerful.”

In the US, young millennials’ (18-24 year olds) OTT consumption of original digital video increased 21 per cent in 2014 according to a recent study done by NScreenMedia, and while OTT viewership on PCs is still most popular among millennials, smartphone viewing increased 10 percent from 2014 to 2015 according to an Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) study. Consumers increasingly demand 24/7 access to great entertainment, informative programmes and popular videos, no matter where they are and no matter what wireless device they have in their pockets.

Categories: Articles, Content, Mobile, OTT, Portable Media, Rights