AT&T has announced it plans to launch a mobile television service from Qualcomm’s MediaFlo USA in May. Initially, the service will be available only on two new handsets—the Samsung Access and the LG Vu—but promises to offer full-length programming from major brands like CBS< ESPN, Fox, MTV, NBC, and Nickelodeon, along with two (unnamed) exclusive channels.
“ATAT&TT Mobile TV is a powerful new mobile entertainment offering, which will give our customers a formidable lineup of sports, news, and primetime shows,” said AT&T’s VP of consumer data Mark Collins, in a statement. “We are thrilled to team with MediaFLO USA to offer our customers an unmatched mobile entertainment experience that is changing the way we all look at TV.”
AT&T and MediaFlo expect the mobile television service will be available in over 50 markets at the time is launches in may, covering as many as 130 million potential customers. The Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Orlando, Chicago, and Philadelphia markets will be among the areas offering the mobile television service at launch.
MediaFlo is also the power behind Verizon’s mobile television offerings, which have been running for about a year. However, industry watchers are skeptical about the current overall market for mobile television in the United States, both because services are available in relatively limited areas and only on a small number of handsets.
AT&T has not announced any pricing for its mobile TV service.
The Samsung Access phone will feature a 2.3-inch LCD display, external stereo speakers, stereo Bluetooth capability, a microSD slow, and a 1.3 megapixel, video-capable camera. Neither Samsung nor AT&T have revealed pricing information for the Samsung Access phone, or the LG Vu.
