Verizon sets $80M blitz in go90 video play

Verizon, surrounded by a feisty group of rivals, will look to further stand out from the crowd this week when it debuts go90, a mobile video service that, sources tell The Post, will be backed by a powerful $80 million marketing blitz.

The move is a huge bet for the wireless carrier, industry insiders said, but Verizon may not have a choice.

Not only is Apple looking to horn in on Verizon’s business with a new financing program, but TMobile and Sprint last week rolled out lowcost iPhone 6s rentals that could steal business from Verizon.

“Verizon has a tough row ahead of it,” said David Morgan, chief executive of Simulmedia. “They are competing for a finite amount of audience attention and dollarsentrenched incumbents in linear TV, streaming networks like Netflix and Hulu that have already achieved a certain amount of scale — not to mention a dangerous competitor in Amazon that is happy to give original video content away for free to get Prime delivery members.”

Verizon, hoping to avoid having to deal with any headwinds associated with its phone company name, will not identify go90 as a Verizon product.

Verizon has cut agreements with about 100 content partners, including Vice News, Discovery Communications, Food Network owner Scripps and youthfocused Awesomeness TV and other online video offerings from Madonna’s “Dance On” to “Love Live,” a live performances offering.

Go90 is a free, adsupported app and will be accessible to subscribers of any wireless carrier. Warner Music is expected to be the exclusive shortform shareable music video provider, sources close to the venture said.

There will be some NFL content on go90 — although livegame coverage will be reserved for Verizon customers.