Verizon launches free mobile video service Go90 on Android and iOS

They include hit shows from ESPN, Discovery, MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, HGTV, and Food Network.

The company planned an $80M marketing blitz to support the launch, and says it has a content library of 8,000 titles and 35 exclusive original series. “Brilliant coders and engineers and awesome content partners have invested an incredible amount of work and have taken care to create a video experience that until now has been missing for millennial and Gen Z viewers”, said Brian Angiolet, Verizon’s go90 architect said in a statement.

In the months leading up to the launch of Go90, Verizon was busy locking down content agreements. According to USA Today, it seems that users will be able to watch just-aired episodes of The Daily Shows with Trevor Noah and The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore from Comedy Central. It also restricts a few videos to Verizon Wireless customers. The app will let you follow your favorite shows, get recommendations from the go90 community of users, share videos to social networks, and sign up for Crews to chat with other fans of certain content.

The free, short-form video service will drive revenue from data usage and targeted advertising from well-known brands. It also looks like the carrier is looking to challenge Snapchat, which has already partnered with entertainment and news content providers. The service, whose name is a reference to turning your phone 90 degrees to watch video in landscape mode, offers free live and on-demand video supported by ads.

Go90 is a new and interesting app, made for iOS and Android, created for people who for one reason or another are usually near a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.