Verizon continued the rollout of more interactive features for its FiOS TV service with the addition of the Baltimore; Hampton Roads and Richmond, Va.; and Washington, D.C., markets.

New updates to FiOS TV's Interactive Media Guide (IMG) include increased video-on-demand personalization, purchasing power via remote control for Showtime and ESPN programming, gaming widgets and new navigational shortcuts.

Verizon competes against Comcast in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and with Cox Communications in Virginia.

The new interactive features were previously deployed in Texas, California, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and downstate New York and will be expanded to all other FiOS TV markets over the next few months.

Verizon also announced that it was recently granted a franchise agreement in Munhall, Pa., to provide its FiOS TV service to more than 5,300 households. FiOS TV is currently available to 11.7 million homes in 14 states and Washington, D.C.