TV networks in 22 major U.S. markets will broadcast their content to mobile devices, it was revealed during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
The broadcasters will provide content to users with mobile phones, GPS units, in-car entertainment systems and MP3 players, as more people begin to have access to video and streaming content through their digital devices.
"Broadcasters should be recognized for seizing an opportunity to provide the entertainment and public service benefits of live, local television coverage to mobile consumers," National Association of Broadcasters president David Rehr said in a statement. "Consumers want to utilize mobile devices to follow news and sports, as well as local, regional, and national emergency announcements and other content that they have come to expect from their local television stations. The roll-out of mobile DTV will give them the opportunity to experience all of those benefits."
During sample testing at CES, eight Las Vegas TV stations went mobile, offering CES attendees the opportunity to see what content would look like on an LG handset.
There aren't any devices on the market capable of playing the ATSC Mobile DTV standard, but backers of the technology say launching the service will help spur innovation by electronics makers in the future.
It's unknown when the service will begin, though it's likely U.S. subscribers will be able to view content on mobile devices before the end of the year. Mobile DTV backers will announce which devices will receive the technology in the future, though it's unknown when.
