AT&T Mobile TV rolls out on May 4 with Vu, Access

AT&T and Qualcomm's MediaFLO on Thursday announced that its new AT&T Mobile TV with FLO service is expected to available on the May 4 along with two exclusive handsets: the Vu from LG and the Access from Samsung. First announced in late March, AT&T will offer TV-quality programming with exclusive channels (PIX and CNN Mobile Live) as well as content from from leading news and entertainment brands: CBS Mobile, ESPN Mobile TV, FOX Mobile, NBC 2Go, NBC News 2Go, MTV Networks’ COMEDY CENTRAL, MTV and Nickelodeon.

The LG Vu delivers TV, Web, pictures or videos on its large interactive touch screen as well as offers a built-in music player, 2.0 megapixel camera and Bluetooth functions. The device is expected to be available for $300 with a two-year service agreement (after a $100 mail-in rebate).

Meanwhile, the Samsung Access features a large landscape display, an internal antenna, and other multimedia functions, such as a camera, external stereo speakers, stereo Bluetooth, and more The Samsung Access is $200 with a two-year service agreement (and after a $100 mail-in rebate).

Both devices will used to showcase the new Mobile TV service, which will offer 150 simulcast and/or time-shifted programs and features both news and movies along with an exclusive music concert channel for the next 60-days: CNCRT, delivered by Control Room, will air one of approximately 30 recently recorded concerts from major recording artists, such as Avril Lavigne, Chris Brown, Fall Out Boy, Jay Z, Sheryl Crow, Akon, Daughtry, Lenny Kravitz, Rage Against the Machine and more.

“AT&T Mobile TV is more than a new entertainment service — it is an experience that will significantly change and enhance our customers’ mobile lifestyles,” said Mark Collins, vice president of Consumer Data for AT&T’s wireless unit. “With this in mind, it was imperative that we launch this revolutionary service on devices that were optimal for the best mobile viewing experience imaginable. We worked closely with LG and Samsung to deliver these two iconic handsets, which are designed with the specific needs of what will soon become our Mobile TV viewing audience.”

AT&T Mobile TV will launch in 58 markets including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Monthly access packages for AT&T Mobile TV begin at $15 a month for the Basic package, which includes unlimited access to Mobile TV, as well as access to the exclusive CNCRT channel for a limited time. AT&T also offers a Mobile TV Plus package for $30 a month, which includes unlimited Mobile TV, unlimited mobile Web browsing on MEdiaTM Net and unlimited CV mobile video. Customers can also subscribe to a limited basic package for $13 a month, which gives them access to four channels: CBS Mobile, FOX Mobile, NBC 2Go and NBC News 2Go.

AT&T Mobile TV with FLO allows the telecommunications giant to compete with Verizon's V CAST Mobile TV service that launched two months ago. Verizon offers scalable subscription plans, which allows users to choose between a four, eight, and unlimited channel plan.

Filed under: industry
Other story tags: AT&T, TV, mobile, Qualcomm, MediaFLO