Verizon, which is looking to grow its online and mobile media brands, has reached a new agreement with A+E Networks that includes first-look access to original digital content for its Oath media brands as well as continued carriage of A+E’s cable networks on Fios.
Oath, which includes Yahoo and AOL, will work with A+E’s digital content studio 45th & Dean to develop and produce short- and long-form programming aimed at the millennial consumers who are not subscribing to traditional pay-TV packages.
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Verizon will also continue to stream games from A+E’s National Women’s Soccer League games on its Yahoo Sports and go90 platforms.
With consolidation, cord-cutting and the growing popularity of lower-priced skinny bundles putting pressure on subscriber revenue, some programmers are looking to create original content for distributors as a way to add value to the relationship. Last year, Charter Communications forged deals with AMC Networks and Viacom that included the creation of exclusive content.
Verizon will continue to carry A+E cable networks including A&E, History, Lifetime, Viceland and FYI, and Fios subscribers will have access to those network’s programming, including shows like Knightfall, Vikings and Live PD on mobile devices.
A+E and Verizon declined to discuss financial terms of their new deal, but both companies said they were looking to reach young viewers who don’t subscribe to pay-TV in new ways.
