Verizon Communications recently announced that it has added 14 live channels to its FiOS TV app for Xbox One and Xbox 360. The broadband company revealed it has also opted to no longer require an Xbox Live Gold subscription to stream content through the FiOS TV app via the Microsoft consoles, though you’ll still need a basic Xbox Live subscription.
Microsoft announced in May that an Xbox Live Gold subscription would no longer be required for certain apps and features, including Netflix, Twitch, ESPN, Skype, and YouTube; Verizon’s FiOS TV app is the most recent addition to these ranks.
The latest channels to join the current FiOS TV app lineup include AMC HD, AXS TV, beIN Sport, beIN Sport Espanol, Bloomberg TV, Cine Sony, Cooking Channel, Encore, Showtime, Showtime Extreme, Sony Movie Channel, Starz, Trinity Broadcast, and Universal Sport.
Verizon’s FiOS app can be easily navigated via Xbox consoles because thanks to its search parameters, which allows users to search for TV, movies, games, or music across all TV channels and entertainment app channels simultaneously, eliminating the need to track down content within each individual app. Of course, you’ll still have to provide your FiOS TV credentials for authentication to be able to access the app’s live TV offerings.
Out of the 88 total channels to choose from, here are some of the more popular live TV selections that Verizon currently offers via the FiOS TV app for Xbox (minus this week’s additions):
- A&E
- ABC Family
- Animal Planet
- BBC America
- BET
- Bravo
- CARTOON Network
- Cinemax
- CMT
- CNBC
- CNN
- Comedy Central
- Discovery
- Disney
- E!
- ESPNews
- Food Network
- Fox News
- FX
- HBO
- HGTV
- History
- IFC
- Lifetime
- MSNBC
- MTV
- Nat Geographic
- Nickelodeon
- Syfy
- TBS
- TCM
- TLC
- TNT
- Travel
- USA
- VH1
OTT, or over the top programming, is quickly becoming a must-have addition to supplement cable and satellite services, as users increasingly look to find all of their content, from Netflix, to live TV, from a single source. For now, authentication from standard subscriptions is virtually always required. Still, as more and more content moves online, just how long traditional subscription services can remain part of the equation as a mandate is starting to become the bigger question.
