Mobile TV

Boom time predicted for Mobile TV

Paul Rasmussen — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:06:22 -0500

Revenues from Mobile TV services could increase almost one hundred-fold in the next four years, up from US$1.5 billion this year to US$100 billion by 2012. At present the bulk of Mobile TV revenues are derived from subscription fees but over time the advertising business model will begin to dominate, accounting for nearly 50 per cent of revenues by 2013. According to the latest report from Informa Telecoms & Media the strongest growth in Mobile TV will be in the early starter markets of South Korea and Japan. European markets are not expected to see significant uptake of Mobile TV until 2009. The US market will be held back by confusion over standards but once these problems are resolved and the industry backs a single standard the US market is expected to grow rapidly. Interestingly, given the arguments that have been raging over whether Mobile TV is best delivered by broadcast technologies or 3G, Informa's research indicates that the market will end up as a mix of technologies which will be matched to a mix of audience experiences.

For more on this story go to Mobile Europe

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DVB-H near collapse in Germany, authorities demand licence back

Paul Rasmussen — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:51:21 -0400

German media authorities have insisted that the mobile TV operator, Mobile 3.0, immediately return its DVB-H licence. The Commission for Approval and Supervision of the Media Authorities (ZAK) stated that Mobile 3.0 had failed to implement its overall concept and had not succeeded in signing any sales or marketing partners.

The chairman of the commission, Henry Thomas Lang, maintained the licence should be returned by the end of this month when it might be possible to restart DVB-H transmissions. The likelihood of a new company wanting to enter the DVB-H arena has improved since Germany agreed to a new legal situation--Rundfunkstaatsvertrag, or national broadcast framework--which makes possible the issuing of a national licence rather than state-by-state licences.

Mobile 3.0 launched DVB-H test transmissions in four large German cities, but no commercial service followed with reports that shareholders were unhappy with the prospects and wanted to pull out of the venture.

The situation was not helped by mobile operators launching competitive DVB-T broadcasts, having failed themselves to win DVB-H licences, and not wanting to share revenues with Mobile 3.0.

For more on this story:
- go to Rapid TV News and Telegeography

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Consumer spending on MTV to reach US$2.7bn by 2013

Paul Rasmussen — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:30:37 -0400

The increasing availability of mobile handsets capable of receiving free-to-air analogue and digital terrestrial TV signals will adversely impact the prospects for dedicated mobile broadcast TV networks, according to a new report from Juniper Research. While the report says that more than 330 million mobile users worldwide will own broadcast TV-enabled handsets by 2013, less than 14 per cent will opt for mobile pay TV services. Although mobile broadcast TV will generate global annual end-user revenues of US$2.7 billion by 2013, this level is markedly lower than previously forecast. According to report author Dr Windsor Holden, "The development of terrestrial TV-capable receivers with comparatively low power consumption, and the availability of these receivers in mass market handsets, throws into question the business case for the deployment of a dedicated network in many markets." Article

BBC mobile TV trials disappoint - where next?

Paul Rasmussen — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:23:41 -0400

Following very low usage during its latest mobile TV trials, the BBC has launched a public consultation on what it should do next. The service, which was available free to U.K. subscribers of Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile and 3UK, attracted less than 600 viewers per day. Despite the lack of consumer interest, part of the BBC's new plan involves seeking permission to syndicate the broadcaster's TV channels and radio networks for delivery to mobile devices over a 3G data connection. No details have been made public as to whether this service will be provided free by the BBC with mobile operators collecting the data-download fees.

The idea of a free mobile TV service has received negative feedback from other TV and radio broadcasters which consider it to be an unfair leverage for the BBC, not helped by the BBC being funded by the U.K. tax payer.

According to reports, the BBC saw monthly content consumption of its BBC One, Three and News 24 TV channels reach a high of just 13 minutes per month during the 12 month trial which ended in April.

For more on this story:
- go to ITProPortal and 3G.co.uk

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Austrian operator launches mobile TV services. Mobile TV story

Orange goes ZAP, and launches its ad-supported video service

Paul Rasmussen — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:27:56 -0400

A video magazine, featuring clips from a range of well-known entertainment brands, has been launched by Orange UK. The new ZAP service will reside on the company's World portal and can be accessed by subscribers with video-enabled 2G or 3G handsets. The content is being provided by the major U.K. TV broadcasters including ITV, Sky, BBC Worldwide and ITN and will be free of charge, in exchange for watching advertising before the customer's chosen video.

Mobile ad outfit Rhythm NewMedia will be selling and serving the ads on the service, and has already signed up advertisers such as Twentieth Century Fox, Barclaycard, Cisco, Nissan and Paramount. Orange has already conducted a number of ad-supported video trials, but ZAP is the first to be offered for free across the company's U.K. network.

For more on this story:
- go to Brand Republic, Mobile Entertainment and Mobile News

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Mobile TV uptake hindered by lack of awareness

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:59:56 -0400

A survey commissioned by mobile TV and video solutions provider QuickPlay Media has revealed that there are significant barriers hindering users from consuming TV and video content on their mobile phones. The most important of these factors, particularly in the U.K., are lack of awareness of the services that are on offer and the perceived high costs involved. The survey, carried out by Market Tools, found that 44 per cent of users cited lack of awareness as the reason they did not access mobile TV and video content and 33 per cent gave perceived cost as their rationale. On the positive side demand for mobile TV exists with 65 per cent of those questioned in the survey saying that they would be willing to watch an advertisement if it meant that the content was free or discounted. The survey also reported that if mobile TV and video were to be charged for, 22 per cent of those questioned said that they would prefer a pay-per-use business model and 13 per cent outlined a preference for an additional monthly subscription that would deliver the content without adverts.

For more on this story:
- go to Telecomredux.com and 3g.co.uk

Related stories:
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Austrian operator launches mobile TV services

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:59:54 -0400

From June 13, mobilkom Austria's subscribers will be able to enjoy two new mobile TV services. The first is the A1 TV PLUS service which combines 3G/UMTS streaming with DVB-H technology and which will deliver 22 TV channels and five radio channels. Fifteen of the channels will use DVB-H and the remainder 3G/UMTS. To use this service customers will need the Nokia N77 handset which will cost €49 including a subscription to the 'A1 Komplett' mobile package. Also available to A1 customers will be a mobile TV service utilising DVB-T technology and the LG HB620 mobile phone. This service will offer six free TV channels. The announcement of the A1 TV PLUS service follows shortly after the launch of Austria's DVB-H network. mobilkom Austria has signed a co-operation agreement with Media Broadcast, the Austrian DVB-H licensee.

For more on this story:
- read Mobile Europe

Related story:
DVB-H services ready to go in Austria. Article

ALSO NOTED: Also noted: Finnish operator deploys mobile Internet; ECJ decision weakens advertising laws; and more...

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> Finnish operator deploys mobile Internet. Article

> ECJ decision weakens advertising laws. Article

And finally... 3G iPhone will impact on mobile TV market. Article

Sports fans are top mobile TV watchers

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:59:55 -0400

A new study into who is watching digital media claims that twice as many sports fans watch mobile video compared with the average mobile user (12 per cent vs. six per cent).

The study, which involved over 1,000 European respondents, was conducted by the European Interactive Advertising Association (EIAA) in an effort to understand the convergence of media across TV, Internet and mobile handsets.

Of particular note was the apparent need by sports enthusiasts for information on the go, highlighted by the fact that 93 per cent of those that access sports sites own a mobile/PDA/Blackberry (vs. 83 per cent of all European Internet users) and are heavy users of the mobile Internet. Interestingly, they are twice as likely as the average European mobile/PDA/Blackberry user to watch video/film clips via their mobile and are more likely to perform other online activities on their cell phone.

For more on this story:
- read Cellular News

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SPOTLIGHT: 3G iPhone expected to make significant impact on mobile TV market

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:59:52 -0400

With the imminent launch of its 3G iPhone, Apple has a window of opportunity to have a significant impact on the mobile TV market, according to the latest report from Analysys Mason. "The iPhone could become the mobile video delivery device of choice for many consumers, by providing a compelling mobile TV and video proposition before mobile broadcasting networks, such as DVB-H become widely available", says Mark Heath, co-author of the new Analysys Mason report "iPhone Shows the Way for Mobile TV." Article | Check out our 3G iPhone rumors slideshow