One reason for cable TV’s popularity over the past five years is the video on demand product available through most providers. Time Warner cable and Xfinity have made it easy and convenient for the subscriber to sit down and watch a program on their own schedule with their extensive on-demand libraries. Newcomers like AT&T and Verizon FiOS have also realized that customers love on demand content, so they too offer this at no additional charge. Lets review the Verizon FiOS on demand product and see how it compares to cable.
Verizon FiOS TV service is relatively young compared to cable and satellite television, only being available for about five years now. Even now, FiOS availability is hit and miss as they are still constructing their all fiber optic network in neighborhoods they serve. But if you do have access to FiOS, it deserves strong consideration as they often have more on demand content than the cable company.
Right now, Verizon claims to have more than 16,000 titles in their video on demand library. If you have ever used on demand with your cable company, you probably already know that there is a lot of filler when it comes to the content offered. Movie trailers, previews of new shows, and other short item features all count toward the total number of titles with FiOS video on demand, just like with cable. You also will be limited in what you can watch based on the programming package you order.
For example, Fios on demand will offer you access to HBO content only if you are subscribe to HBO along with your regular programming package. The same holds true for all of the other premium movie channels. So to really get access to all of the video on demand content, you have to have the top FiOS TV bundle which is the Ultimate HD package, and then also add on HBO, Cinemax, and the other premiums.
New release and pay per view movies are also a big part of the on demand library. These work in a similar way to cable, in that they are always available and ready for you to watch, provided you agree to pay for them. Most new release titles are $4.99 per movie, though some older content is offered for a lower price. Movies that you rent through on demand are available for only 24 hours, if you want to watch them again after that you will be charged again.
While most on demand content is in standard definition, more than 3,000 titles are now in HD, specifically new release movies. Accessing the FiOS on demand library is fairly easy using your remote control. Simply press the Menu button and then scroll to On-demand. Once you are there you will be able to scroll through available titles, which will be labeled as free, subscription, or one time fee. You can also browse through the available titles on the internet at the FiOS website.
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