Verizon launches new mobile video service 'go90'

A woman is cashed out at a Verizon store in New York's financial district May 12, 2015. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

(Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc launched its new mobile video app "go90" on Thursday, looking to corner market share in the mobile ad industry dominated by Google Inc and Facebook Inc. The free, short-form video service will drive revenue from data usage and targeted advertising from well-known brands. "At launch, there are over 8,000 titles available to go90 users as well as over 35 exclusive original series, which will nearly double by year's end," the company said in a statement. The No. 1 U.S. wireless carrier last month launched a trial of the service, which offers live events, on-demand shows and videos. Companies such as Netflix Inc and Hulu, which offer Web-based video services, have put pressure on traditional pay-TV companies that are struggling to add viewers. (Reporting by Abhirup Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)