Verizon took a step toward becoming a competitor to cable and satellite TV companies by unveiling a deal to carry all of NBC Universal's channels on a television service due this year. An article entitled "Verizon TV service to have NBC Universal" in USA Today outlined this deal a little further.

"The company says it will begin commercial service late in the third quarter in Keller, Texas, a suburb of Dallas/fort Worth. NBC Universal is the first broadcast and cable power to sign on. Verizon has deals with Discovery Networks and Liberty Media's Starz Entertainment Group. NBC says it's pleased with the wide-ranging nature of the deal, which includes Olympics broadcasts in 2006 and 2008."

"In each market with an NBC-owned station, Verizon will retransmit all of its signals, including new or high-definition channels. Meanwhile, all expanded-basic customers will get Bravo, CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, Sci-Fi Channel, Trio, USA Network, ShopNBC and high-definition Universal HD."

Verizon and NBC wouldn't discuss financial details, although Verizon says they will pay a higher per-subscriber price than that paid by leading cable and satellite companies such as Comcast. That could make it difficult to compete on price.