Verizon is killing off its FiOS TV apps for Xbox, smart TVs on March 31

By Kris Wouk Published March 23, 2016

With services like Sling TV and PlayStation Vue on the rise, cable and satellite companies are scrambling to offer their own options to keep customers from jumping ship. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to extend to keeping value-added services around if a lot of customers aren’t using them.

Such is the case with Verizon and its FiOS TV app. Users of the app on Xbox consoles and some smart TVs and Blu-Ray players suddenly found out that their days using the app were numbered, as Verizon is retiring it from those platforms at the end of the month, Ars Technica reports.

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“On March 31, 2016, the FiOS TV app you are using to watch your FiOS TV programming through a Smart TV or an Xbox gaming system will be retired and will no longer be available for use,” an email sent from Verizon to users of these apps read. “Sorry for the inconvenience.”

Verizon tried to soften the blow by offering an alternative, but it isn’t very likely to make affected users any happier. “But we have great news; you can watch your FiOS TV content using our FiOS Mobile app from your smartphone or tablet,” the email continues. “This app allows you to stream TV content in and out of your home and so much more.”

While the mobile app may be fine for those who were just using the TV or Xbox apps for the sheer novelty, it doesn’t replace one of the main use cases for either app. Now customers who were using the app on a second TV will need a second set-top box to replace functionality that is currently free.

Xbox 360 users might have seen this coming, since both AT&T U-verse and Comcast announced that support for the platform was ending, while ESPN will also soon be ending multi-screen support for the console. Xbox One owners will likely be more shocked, however, given both the relative newness of the console and its focus on serving as an entertainment hub.

This news comes on the heels of a proposal to replace standard cable and satellite set-top boxes with a more universal system that wouldn’t require customers to rent boxes from their providers. Companies including Verizon argued that this wasn’t necessary since they provide TV Everywhere apps for other platforms. At least for some platforms, in Verizon’s case, that’s about to be in the past tense.

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Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

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Don’t let these 3 hidden March 2025 streaming TV shows fly under your radar

A group of well-dressed people crowd by a doorway, looking shocked in The Residence.

Every month, there's always one, maybe two, new shows that get all the attention. Sometimes, it's a popular show returning with a new season. This March, many less high-profile shows are flying under the radar. You might have heard of these shows but weren't quite sure what they were about or even if they're worth watching.
We suspect that you'll be pleasantly surprised if you give any of these shows your time. Check out an episode or two, and it will likely lead to binging the whole thing. Two of the three series release all season one episodes at once, while the third will tease you with the first two episodes this month. What are these three hidden March 2025 streaming TV shows you shouldn't let fly under your radar? Have a look.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new shows to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, the best shows on Max, and best shows on Disney+.
Deli Boys (March 6)
Deli Boys | Official Trailer | Hulu
Already receiving rave reviews, Deli Boys is a hilarious comedy about two Pakistani American brothers, Mir (Asif Ali) and Raj (Saagar Shaikh), who discover that their father was much more than a convenience store owner. When he suddenly passes, the brothers discover that dear Dad was actually embroiled in a life of crime.
If they don’t want to lose everything their family has worked for, they need to take over as the new crime bosses. But this is not a life they know anything about. As one of the most anticipated Hulu shows of 2025, Deli Boys’ first season delights thanks to its clever one-liners, talented cast, and bizarre storylines.
Stream Deli Boys on Hulu.
The Residence (March 20)
The Residence | Official Trailer | Netflix
The best way to describe The Residence is that it's like Knives Out in the White House with a gender-swapped Benoit Blanc-like character. The lead is Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), an equally eccentric yet brilliant detective who consults with the local police. When the White House chief usher, A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito in a role that was originally supposed to be played by the late Andre Braugher), winds up dead, she’s called in to investigate. A state dinner is going on downstairs with officials from Australia, and Cupp orders that no one leave until she questions all 140+ people present.
The Residence is plenty of fun, mixing the usual whodunit formula with Shonda Rhimes' unique creative flair that will keep you guessing from one episode, even a moment, to the next. Aduba is perfect as Cupp, who combines an oddball personality — including repeatedly birdwatching in the middle of a murder case — with a subtle sarcasm. Through it all, however, she throws down astute observations that teach everyone she knows exactly what she’s doing, even if it doesn’t look like it. If you love the whodunit genre, The Residence won’t disappoint.

Stream The Residence on Netflix.
The Studio (March 26)
The Studio — Official Trailer | Apple TV+
One of Apple TV+’s quieter new show releases is The Studio, which has gotten overwhelmingly positive reception in early reviews. Seth Rogen created and stars in this comedy as Matt Remick, a man who longs to run a Hollywood studio. When he finally realizes this dream, however, the reality of the complicated balancing act of managing budgets, changing economic and societal times, corporate demands, and eccentric actors sinks in.
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PBS may not be able to boast a lineup of original shows like Netflix and the other streamers, but it's been America's gateway for British dramas for decades. Granted, some of these shows will show up on the streamers as well. The key difference is that PBS won't charge you to watch them, and you can even stream them online if you don't want to support your local station.

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Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, best shows on Hulu, best shows on Amazon Prime Video, and best shows on Disney+.

It features a star-making performance from Saoirse Ronan
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