Samsung, Verizon form new smart TV content partnership

Samsung Electronics has formed an alliance with Verizon, the biggest telecom company in the U.S., to boost content for smart TVs.

The two companies will offer Internet Protocol television content, including video on demand, through the Verizon FiOS App on Samsung’s smart TV.

Some 120 million consumers subscribing to Verizon telecom services will be able to view such content without using set-top boxes, which are normally required to watch IPTV shows and movies.

Lee Kyung-shik, vice president of visual display business at Samsung Electronics, said that this partnership with Verizon is part of efforts to boost the use of smart TVs by further appealing to consumers not only with TV products but also with content.

This will also provide Samsung the opportunity to expand in the U.S. TV market, the company said.

Viewers can access content just by downloading apps on smart TVs, without connecting to IPTV set-top boxes, Samsung Electronics said in a statement.

Consumers will only need Samsung’s smart TV and subscribe to Verizon to see real-time broadcasting programs as well as VOD movies and shows.

The Verizon FiOS App will feature 26 channels, including CNN, MTV, HBO and Cinemax, and Samsung Electronics said it will seek to expand the number of high-definition channels with Verizon up to 130 by 2013.

Currently, the two sides offer some 16,000 shows and programs, and aim to increase the number to 30,000 by the end of the third quarter this year.

Verizon and Samsung smart TV users can also watch such content not only on TV but also on their personal computers, laptops and smartphones.

By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)