U.S. Mobile Digital TV Expands to 120 Stations

Friday, January 6th, 2012

New Consumer Devices, Emergency Alert System to be Demonstrated at CES 2012

LAS VEGAS — The number of local broadcast stations transmitting Mobile Digital TV signals has jumped more than 70 percent in the past year, with some 120 stations now on-the-air with robust mobile signals. The Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC) today announced that a wide array of device manufacturers, service operators and technology companies will be featured at the 2012 CES Mobile DTV TechZone in Central Hall (Booth #13542) during next week’s annual consumer electronics trade show in Las Vegas.

“The huge increase in the number of broadcasters delivering Mobile DTV underscores the momentum behind this exciting new service for consumers,” said Vincent Sadusky, president of the OMVC and President and CEO of LIN Media. “With more players will come more Mobile DTV channels, and that’s a key to enticing viewers to try out TV on-the-go.”

Sadusky noted that stations reaching viewers in more than 46 markets are now sending local news, weather updates, sports, traffic, and favorite programs to their market areas. Pointing out an exciting new tool for consumer electronics retailers selling mobile DTV products, he said updates on available Mobile DTV signals can be found on the OMVC.org web site, under the “Signal Map” tab on the home page.

Among the exhibitors at the Central Hall Mobile DTV TechZone are Dyle™ Mobile TV/Mobile Content Venture, LG Electronics, Samsung Mobile, The Mobile500 Alliance, Triveni Digital, Siano Mobile Silicon, Crestech, the Mobile DTV Trust Authority/Neustar and NAGRA, and a demonstration of the PBS pilot Mobile Emergency Alert System.

Mobile Alerts, New Services, New Devices

Among Mobile DTV TechZone exhibitors is Dyle™ Mobile TV, the consumer-facing brand launched by the Mobile Content Venture (MCV) to deliver live mobile television content from 15 major broadcast groups including Pearl LLC (Belo Corp., Cox Media Group, E.W. Scripps Co., Gannett Broadcasting, Hearst Television Inc., Media General Inc., Meredith Corp., Post-Newsweek Stations Inc. and Raycom Media) as well as Fox, ION Television, Telemundo, Univision, NBC, and Bahakel. At launch, Dyle will be available from more than 72 stations in 32 markets, reaching approximately 50% of the U.S. population.

Also on view at the Mobile DTV TechZone is a new Mobile Emergency Alert System (M-EAS), designed by PBS and LG Electronics. The M-EAS pilot project, co-funded by LG and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, is being launched in three markets (including in Las Vegas by Vegas PBS).

Another Mobile DTV TechZone exhibitor is the Mobile500 Alliance of broadcasters. The Alliance, which is working closely with Fisher Communications, Sinclair Broadcasting Group, and Acrodyne Services to

develop Mobile DTV applications and services, currently has 48 member companies, including four public broadcasters, which hold licenses to 435 television stations. The current DTV signals of these stations reach 92% of U.S. TV households.

New receiving devices based on the proven ATSC A/153 Mobile DTV Standard are coming to International CES 2012 in a variety of form factors, from smartphones to portable TV sets to accessories for tablets, in-car solutions, and other mobile products designed to bring the convenience of Mobile DTV to viewers wherever they go.