RCR says AT&T will launch ten channels of mobile TV on February 5

RCR Wireless News reports AT&T Mobility will launch its Qualcomm-based MediaFLO mobile television service on February 5 and offer an extra two exclusive channels in addition to the standard eight that are offered by Verizon Wireless’ MediaFLO broadcasts.

AT&T had previously announced it would offer MediaFLO TV in 2007, but recently said it would delay the launch until early this year.  Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Mobile TV service broadcasts CBS Mobile, Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile TV, Fox Mobile, MTV, NBC 2Go NBC News2Go and Nickelodeon as well as a promotional channel. 

I really hope  AT&T’s two additional channels are just more of the same mass market multimedia effluvia of sports or reality shows or celebrity interviews and other doltish slop.  But I’m not optimistic.

Handset, coverage plans

Qualcomm says MediaFLO can accommodate 20 24–hour linear channels as well as other services, such as data broadcasting and radio.  MediaFLO documents show its network covers 48 markets, but documents from AT&T say 53 markets with a total of 129 million people will be available, the article says.

RCR says AT&T’s mobile TV service is expected to launch with the LG Vu (CU920) handset.  “The rather sleek device, which is similar to LG’s Prada handset, utilizes a touch screen and other trendy features.  Pricing for the device is expected to be in the $200 to $250 range, but nothing is official at this point.”