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A+E strikes wide-ranging programming deal with Verizon

A+E Networks has scored a programming output deal with US telco and digital business Verizon.

This will see shows such as Knightfall, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath and Live PD playing on various Verizon platforms, which include Yahoo and AOL (now known collectively as Oath).

Verizon Fios customers will be able to access content from channels such as History, A&E and Viceland on-demand on their mobiles.

First-look digital content will come from A+E’s 45^th and Dean studio, which has produced shows such as Facebook Watch’s Bae or Bail and Snapchat’s Second Chance.

For Verizon, the deal highlights how it wants to expand its reach with millennial audiences. The telco acquired Yahoo for US$4.5 billion and merged it with AOL to create Oath.

“This partnership expansion is yet another example of how we’re fueling our new Oath media brands and becoming the first screen for premium content across genres,” said Brian Angiolet, senior VP and global chief media and content officer at Verizon.

Verizon and are A+E are already linked through Hearst Corp, with whom it launched a number of digital channels such as RatedRed.com and Seriously.TV.

Hearst is a co-owner of A+E along with The Walt Disney Company, and also owns part of kids-focused media brand Awesomeness, in which Verizon owns 25%.

Verizon had planned to launch a millennials-focused streaming service with Awesomeness, but ditched those plans last year.