Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Scripps Networks Teams Up With Verizon Wireless And The Verizon Hub

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., and BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Scripps Networks, the leader in lifestyle media, and Verizon Wireless, the nation’s leading wireless service provider, announced today that content from HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network and Fine Living Network is now available on the Verizon Hub. Available now from Verizon Wireless, the Verizon Hub is an easy-to-use system that puts a communications command center in the home. It bridges wireline and wireless connectivity and runs on any broadband connection – whether supplied by Verizon (FiOS Internet or DSL) or any other high-speed Internet service provider.

The Verizon Hub gives busy families information at their fingertips from an easy-to-navigate touch screen with on-demand access to an array of services. From fabulous Food Network recipes to HGTV experts’ design tips, Verizon Hub users will be able to sample video from Scripps’ wide array of lifestyle programming.

“Scripps’ lifestyle brands speak to the heart of the home, so it seems a natural complement for them to be available on a home ‘hub.’ Customers can access quick Food Network recipe information right in the kitchen and HGTV decorating inspiration right in the rooms they want to update,” said Deanna Brown, president of Scripps Networks Digital. “Having video from the Scripps Networks channels available on the Verizon Hub offers our brand enthusiasts another touch-point, while also giving those new to the brands a chance to sample our content.”

“The programming from HGTV and Food Network fits in so well with what Verizon Hub users want – quick access to tips and information about how to make their homes very special places,” said Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. “We’re so pleased that Scripps Networks is working with us to bring this great content to our customers.”

Pricing and Availability
Customers need a wireless line of service from Verizon Wireless to purchase the communications command center. In addition, customers need a Verizon Digital Voice plan for the Verizon Hub, which is $34.99 a month and offers unlimited calling in the U.S., Canada, and U.S. Territories, including Puerto Rico, as well as unlimited messaging to and from Verizon Wireless phones. All of these services will appear on the customer’s Verizon Wireless monthly bill.

The Verizon Hub is available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country for $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year agreement; additional cordless handsets, which can be placed throughout the home, are available for $79.99 each. For customers who do not own a wireless router, Verizon Wireless also offers a router to work with the Verizon Hub for $69.99.

For more information on the Verizon Hub, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hub.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 80 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Scripps Networks
Scripps Networks is comprised of the lifestyle television brands HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living Network and country music network Great American Country (GAC). Scripps is the dominant media and marketing company in the home, food and lifestyle categories, developing content for television and the Internet, where on-air programming is complemented with an array of broadband video, social media areas and e-commerce components on companion Web sites that attract more than 17.2 million unique visitors each month.

In addition, Scripps Networks has launched HGTV and Food Network in high definition and is aggressively developing its emerging media platforms for broadband and video on demand. Scripps Networks also acquired popular recipe Web site Recipezaar.com and Incando Corp. in order to deepen its user-generated content capabilities. Scripps Networks’ brands collectively are available in more than 170 countries and territories on all seven continents. They also are distributed to more than 1,000 outlets on U.S. military bases and U.S. embassies around the world via the American Forces Radio and Television Service.

Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Nashville and San Francisco, Scripps Networks is owned by Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE:SNI), the leading developer of lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet. The company’s media portfolio includes: Lifestyle Media, with popular lifestyle television brands HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living Network and country music network Great American Country (GAC); and Interactive Services, including leading online search and comparison shopping services, Shopzilla and uSwitch.

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