Verizon gets cable franchise in Va. city

The Falls Church, Va., City Council voted unanimously Monday to grant Verizon a cable franchise.

Falls Church has 10,900 potential cable customers.

The council's action follows franchise approvals last year in Fairfax County, the city of Fairfax, the town of Herndon and the Marine Corps Base at Quantico, covering more than 1 million potential viewers.

The company also has obtained franchises in California, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Texas.

Verizon introduced its FiOS TV service -- with more than 330 digital channels, more than 20 high-definition channels and 1,800 video-on-demand titles -- to consumers in northern Virginia late last year.

"The Falls Church City Council's action will enable residents to choose their cable TV provider as easily as they now choose their phone provider," said Robert W. Woltz Jr., president of Verizon Virginia.

"We commend Mayor Gardner, the city staff and the city council for their efforts to give their constituents freedom of choice for their cable service," Woltz said.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International