Mobile DTV rollout on the way to 20 major US markets
updated 02:50 am EST, Sun November 21, 2010
DTV to reach 40% of population by late 2011
Mobile Content Venture has announced that it will begin upgrading TV stations in 20 major US markets to be able to also broadcast Mobile Digital TV (DTV). By late 2011, it is expected that up to 40% of the US population will have access to the service, which will begin rolling out across New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas and Washington DC amongst others. The service will initially consist of at least two ad-supported free-to-consumer channels in each market. Additional channels and markets will be added over time.
In order to receive the service, consumers will need a device capable of receiving an ATSC-M/H signal. MCV is working with a number of device manufacturers to ensure that mobile phones with this capability will become available in the second half of 2011.
It is expected that by 2014, there will be 30 million devices capable of receiving DTV.The Mobile Content Venture (MCV) is an alliance of twelve major broadcasters that includes Fox, NBC and Pearl Mobile DTV
