VZ Switches On TV Strategy With Hire

Verizon Communications has hired a former cable TV executive
to shape its video over fiber strategy.

Terry Denson, formerly of Insight Communications, MTV Networks and ABC,
joined the Baby Bell as vice president of video programming and content
marketing.

It’s a first-of-its-kind position for the phone company and another signal
that its fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) push is
significantly more than a limited trial of new technology.

Though it’s starting its rollout with high-speed Internet access, a key
reason Verizon is investing in FTTP is its ability to carry television
programming — a hole in its bundled communications offerings.

Verizon’s moves are forcing other
telecoms to examine the emerging technology as a way to better compete with
cable giants like Comcast and Time Warner Cable.

Denson has plenty to do before Verizon’s limited launch of video over FTTP
next year and his job description reflects that.

According to Verizon, Denson will guide video product packaging, pricing and
marketing; video content acquisition and distribution; and customer
acquisition and retention.

Terry will broaden our insights and refine our strategies to leverage the services we provide, be they traditional or non-traditional, including
TV over Internet protocol, Marilyn O’Connell, Verizon’s senior vice
president of broadband solutions, said in a statement.

At Insight, the ninth-largest cable provider, Denson served as vice
president of programming. Previously, he was director of business
development and affiliate sales and marketing for MTV Networks and was a
general attorney for ABC.

In related news on Wednesday, FCC Chairman Michael Powell reportedly
recognized the issue of video over telecom broadband, however he noted that
it’s unclear what regulations might apply to the technology, according to
Reuters.