Viewdini: Verizon Unveils Video App With Comcast, Netflix

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Verizon Wireless plans to launch a mobile video streaming application later this month with content from everybody from Comcast Corp to Netflix Inc as the mobile provider looks to increase usage on its mobile network.

The move comes as the venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group Plc is aiming to boost its revenue from data services such as mobile video, for which it charges customers on a metered basis.

Verizon Wireless said the mobile video aggregator -- to be branded as Viewdini -- will also add content from FiOS, Verizon's own home TV service, soon after the general launch.

Customers will use the Viewdini app to search for and view content from services they subscribe to such as Netflix or Comcast as well as online services as Hulu Plus and mSpot.

For example, a user would search for a particular movie and then watch it through the service where they are a subscriber. The app itself will be free but the downloads would come out of customers' Verizon Wireless data allowance.

(Reporting By Sinead Carew; editing by M.D. Golan)

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Comments

[Karel Appel]

02:42 PM on 05/24/2012

So, first they have unlimited data plans. Then, they force people out of these, since the "excessive" use of data strains the system. And hen they launch this, to "to increase usage on its mobile network."

I'm flabbergasted, baffled and perplexed.

[KISSman]

11:41 AM on 05/24/2012

Sounds like a good idea, but with Verizon limiting people's data, it makes all this it fairly useless. It won't stop them from promoting all the great things you can do with your phone that require data usage, but good luck staying under your data cap.

[Stefano Seebing]

10:21 AM on 05/24/2012

Why all the whines? Verizon does not expect you to use this on their data network. If you did, your cap would be blown to pieces in minutes. They want you to use it over your Fios wi-fi or any wi-fi for the matter. It's nothing to throw a hissy fit over.

Moving on -- what a horrible name. Netflix has recognition and uber brand value, as does Fios. Why use a new name with no association with its keepers? Why not just name it "Netflix: Fios Edition" or "Netflix + Fios" ?

[KISSman]

11:45 AM on 05/24/2012

"as the mobile provider looks to increase usage on its mobile network"

Apparently they want and expect us to use their data network.

[RealityMyFriend]

12:00 AM on 05/24/2012

Tacky.

[RagaMuffin]

12:18 PM on 05/23/2012

Ain't this about a b----h! Mobile companies have long claimed that they were not able to keep up with demand and therefore had to raise their prices and set usage points where you would be charged even more if you went over your allotment. Now they seek to find more and more ways to get you to go over the minuscule megabytes that you contracted for.

[ILoveGreatDanes]

10:09 AM on 05/23/2012

After Verizon tried to sell that "convenience fee" to customers and removed the grandfathered unlimited data plans, they're trying this as a marketing ploy? No wonder they're partnering with Netflix. They must be taking advice from Reed Hastings.

[lemmyk73]

08:42 AM on 05/23/2012

As Verizon takes away their data plans- they offer services that chew up more data. Ugh.

[nobodyzhome]

08:03 AM on 05/23/2012

The name alone ensures failure.

[WishfulThinkingRulesAll]

10:49 AM on 05/23/2012

Are you talking about Viewdini or your own screen name?

[mr whiteffolks]

07:42 AM on 05/23/2012

Everybody wants to control my TV and make money in the process !

[Jason D Abides]

11:53 PM on 05/22/2012

Verizon trolling level: Expert

[Andrea Blackwell]

11:40 PM on 05/22/2012

PFFT! What a nerve. They just can't sell enough air, can they?

[jsgaetano]

11:14 PM on 05/22/2012

So Verizon bans unlimited plans... then introduces streaming media services.

[Omar M Grady]

09:41 PM on 05/22/2012

NETflix is so wack...they dont have nothing on instants stream. Im cancelling again...

[drew bayless]

08:53 PM on 05/22/2012

and who is stupid enough to watch movies without a wifi connection??

[jsgaetano]

11:14 PM on 05/22/2012

Kids. Verizon is looking to fleece parents for thousand$.

[Thorlandus]

05:05 PM on 05/23/2012

They've already started with the streaming music apps that are out there, start making all those "NJ Shore" type shows available to teenagers whenever/wherever, and things start to add much more quickly.

[RealityMyFriend]

12:03 AM on 05/24/2012

I am still on the unlimited data and never been capped so I still use the network... when wifi is not avaliable.

[JCLedge]

07:56 PM on 05/22/2012

So one day Verizon announces the end of grandfathered unlimited data, and the next day they announce a streaming video service that uses tons of data. Gotta love it...

[jsgaetano]

11:15 PM on 05/22/2012

Yep, totally. Here's the fantastic "free market" conservatives always pray for. It's like piracy on the high seas.

[blumuze]

04:16 AM on 05/23/2012

I'd call this pure capitalism. Nothing free market about it.