Webcast: MOBILE TELEVISION: The Next Profit Center for Broadcasters

May 21, 2008 4:00pm EDT

As broadcasters seek new ways to monetize their digital spectrum after the Feb. 17, 2009 switch from analog-to-digital television signals, they are increasingly eyeing the prospects of delivering video and data to mobile phones, the Internet and other portable devices. On May 21st a panel of industry experts will discuss the progress towards a new technical standard for mobile DTV and examine the operational challenges and financial implications of creating a new delivery path for local TV.

CRITICAL ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THIS WEBCAST WILL INCLUDE:

• Standards- Will the Advanced Television Systems Committee form a new Mobile and Handheld (ATSC-M/H) standard in time for stations to launch commercial services in 2009?
• Bandwidth- How will broadcasters juggle their limited transmission capacity to support mobile DTV broadcasts without jeopardizing their existing high-definition and standard- definition digital services?

• Competition- How will mobile DTV broadcasts stack up against existing mobile TV services such as MediaFLO or MobiTV? How will it complement on-demand video content services already offered by local stations through cellular providers?
• Business model- Will mobile DTV be an advertising-supported free service, a pay-TV platform, or a combination of both? What is the potential fi nancial upside to local stations? How big will the new revenue stream be for broadcasters who undertake this challenge and how can they keep costs down?
• Operational impact- How much of an investment in equipment and personnel will stations have to make to launch mobile DTV?
• Content- What sort of programming would be offered through such a service? How will stations with shrinking production staffs cost-effectively program it, or will they be carrying content from third-parties? Will network content be featured, and if so, what are the copyright implications? What are the challenges, key considerations and workflow for transforming content for mobile and Web audiences?

MODERATOR:

Glen Dickson
Senior Editor: Technology
Broadcasting & Cable

PANELISTS:

Scott Matics
Product Manager
Thomson Grass Valley

Mark Richer
President
Advanced Television
Systems Committee

Anne Schelle
Executive Director
Open Mobile
Video Coalition

Sterling Davis
Vice President
of Engineering
Cox Broadcasting

Jim Conschafter,
Senior Vice President
of Broadcast Stations,
Media General
Broadcast Group

Posted Dec 5, 2008