Mobilizedtv

U.S. broadcasters form Mobile500 Alliance for mobile TV

On the heels of the launch of Mobile DTV in mid-2010, a coalition of TV broadcasters have formed the Mobile500 Alliance “to accelerate the availability of mobile digital television, or Mobile DTV, service to consumers nationwide.” At launch time, the coalition comprised 30 broadcast television companies, which collectively own 346 full-power television stations broadcasting in 167 markets.

Talking to the Mobile Marketing Association

Mobilized TV spoke with Michael Becker, the North America Managing Director for the Mobile Marketing Association, about the organization’s history and mission, what it offers members and if it’s outreaching to Hollywood studios/networks involved in mobile content creation.

Spectrum: Use it or Lose It, says NAB Prez

OMVC (Open Mobile Video Coalition) opened the show with a big announcement: the first end-to-end Mobile DTV ecosystem, in Washington, D.C. Launching on May 3, this test model will feature 20 technology partners and nine TV stations, delivering to an undetermined number of Sprint customers.

MobilizedTV at NAB 2010: Mobile DTV Update

MobilizedTV will be at the National Association of Broadcasters’ 2010 NAB Show for the next four days, and posting at least once daily. NAB 2010 marks MobilizedTV’s second anniversary as a publication about content on mobile devices.

Boston’s WGBH Launches Mobile DTV

WGBH has launched four Mobile DTV channels, relying on gear from Grass Valley. “All four services are simulcasting today,” says WGBH vp/Chief Technology Office Joe Igoe, who reports that the move to Mobile DTV was driven by WGBH president/CEO Jon Abbott. “We are broadcasting our main channel WGBH, a 24/7 sub-channel of kids programming, the main NPR radio station and our 24/7 classical music station.”

Getting the Broadcast Station Ready for Mobile DTV

As a newly-emerged technology, ATSC Mobile DTV offers broadcasters a very appealing opportunity to introduce popular services that not only support new business models, but also have the potential to contribute to greater viewer retention. Some of the changes needed to add Mobile DTV capabilities to a station obviously involve the addition or modification of equipment

Behind the Mobile DTV Scenes

At the HPA Tech Retreat, I had breakfast with a few high-level broadcast and cable executives, who talked about TV spectrum, mobile, the wireless industry and other hot button topics. As the proverbial fly on the wall, I was there with the understanding that I would not reveal anyone’s identity or refer to them in any resulting article. I’m bringing you the salient points of the conversation with these Mystery Men, with the hope that the conversation–albeit anonymous–is enlightening.

Six Tips for a Digital Transformation

At the Tech Retreat of the Hollywood Post Alliance–a confab of high-level tech executives in Hollywood–mobile TV was a topic of interest. ATSC’s Jerry Whitaker updated Mobile DTV, and an Ernst & Young analyst gave six tips for moving into the digital age.

LG Electronics: Engineering Behind Mobile DTV

LG Electronics just demonstrated the handsets–and detailed the technology–at a recent conference on Mobile DTV held in Washington D.C. by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC). “Our challenge in developing the mobile DTV physical layer was to ensure that the current method of transmitting over-the-air HDTV was not negatively affected by the addition of mobile programming,” Bretl said.

ATSC to Hold Mobile DTV Seminar

If you’re interested in delving more deeply into Mobile DTV and you live in the Washington, D.C. area, think about signing up for Advanced Television Systems Committee’s one-day seminar on the topic. An ATSC spokesperson said that non-ATSC members were welcome to attend the seminar. The ATSC Mobile DTV Seminar will take place from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Hogan & Hartson Law Offices, Fullbright Conference Center at 555 13th Street, NW in Washington. DC

What’s Playing on Mobile DTV?

Mobile DTV just launched at CES 2010, but there is already a lot of TV you can watch on one of those Mobile DTV devices. To prove that point, the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC) showcased the programming that local broadcasters can deliver, including live, local and national programming. Do you see any programming you wouldn’t mind watching on a mobile device? Here’s the live simulcast content that visitors to Vegas could watch at CES 2010 on mobile devices compatible with the broadcasters’ ATSÇ signal

CES 2010: Mobile Wrap-Up

One billion people will own a smartphone by 2013. That statistic was bandied about in the days before CES and the best description of the ecosystem that will make mobile content, entertainment, commerce and marketing/advertising an immense force in the media landscape.

The energy behind Mobile DTV is impressive. The Open Mobile Video Coalition has been busy making alliances and convincing manufacturers to build devices that are compatible with the ATSC signal. Having watched the painfully slow creep towards High Definition for nearly two decades, the speed with which Mobile DTV has been standardized and productized is breath-taking.

CES 2010: Mobile DTV Launches

MobilizedTV predicted going into CES 2010 that it would be a big show for the introduction of new mobile devices and products. And so it is. CES 2010 is also the grand entrance of Mobile DTV, the U.S. broadcasters’ mobile play. Here’s a rundown on some of the most prominent launches at the show.

Powering Mobile DTV

NAB 2009 was a big event for the launch of Mobile DTV. MobilizedTV has covered some of the announcements of the show, but to give an idea of how well-supported the mobile broadcast standard is being supported by equipment manufacturers, the following is a round-up of where mobile DTV could be found on the trade show floor.

Watching Mobile DTV at NAB 2009

Mobile content-original and repurposed-has been limited, for a wide variety of reasons. But the doors to mobile content swung open at the National Association of Broadcasters in Las Vegas, which ended last Thursday. The acceptance of a Mobile DTV standard was not only demonstrated at the show by a wide spectrum of companies, but call letter stations and networks joined in the fun with live broadcasts of programming. If you think there’s nothing to watch on Mobile DTV, check out the program that ran throughout NAB: