ION Media Networks has launched ATSC Mobile DTV service — a mobile television protocol promoted by members of the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC) — over its stations in New York City and the Washington, D.C. area, the company says.
The signal is available over ION’s WPXN (Channel 31) in New York and WPXW in Manassas, Va., a suburb of Washington. The service is part of ION’s “triple play” launch which includes a regular high definition channel, two digital networks and Mobile DTV.
However, I’m not sure who is actually viewing the mobile TV offering. As I’ve been writing about the OMVC since it was established in early 2007, the Mobile DTV protocol is still under development. I don’t know if consumers may purchase any receivers, either standalone, in cellular phones or for computers.
Still testing
I assume Mobile DTV is being tested with prototype receivers by ION’s engineers and some executives. Still, this isn’t to be dismissed because Washington has been designated as the “showcase” city for the mobile TV service’s launch, as I’ve previously written.
If the launch progresses as scheduled, Mobile DTV will generate greater interest later this summer when more mainstream TV stations in Washington, D.C., including CBS, NBC, Fox and PBS, will begin broadcasting the mobile TV signal. I live in the area, so I certainly hope to be able to test it.
Brandon Burgess, chairman and CEO of ION Media Networks, says in the press release, “Digital technology lets us reach more homes, enables HD quality and new digital networks, as well as mobile reception. Among all these benefits, Mobile DTV may prove to be the most significant in the long run, allowing broadcasters to think beyond the living room and bring live television and real time information to consumers wherever they may be.”
Brett Jenkins, vice president of technology at ION, says, “The Mobile DTV ecosystem has now developed to the point that broadcasters are able to launch beta services, and we’re beginning to think through consumer and business implementations.”
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