Hey Toledo, Will We Really Need Cable Soon?

by admin
Jan 8, 2009
 

“Millions of consumers by year’s end should be able to watch free, over-the-air television on cellphones, PDAs, and other portable digital devices, as the result of initiatives that will be unveiled today by some of the nation’s largest TV station owners and electronics manufacturers.

The changes promoting on-the-go viewing are “quite significant,” says John Eck, president of the NBC TV Network and Media Works. “If we play it right, it can be a compelling service,” for example, by offering local news, which normally isn’t available from cellphone video services.

At least 63 stations in 22 cities — including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston and Washington — will transmit news, entertainment, and sports to portable devices this year, according to the broadcast industry’s Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC).

The initial group will include affiliates of ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CW, ION and PBS. Each city will have a different mix. Most will simulcast regularly scheduled shows.

In conjunction with the announcement, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, manufacturers including LG, Samsung, Zenith and Kenwood will display mobile receivers due in stores later this year.”

My answer is “yes we still will” but the rules are certainly changing. Hulu.com and many other networks are offering shows for free online and now many people are streaming them over to their in home TV’s with www.boxee.tv and many other devices.

 

As Seen on USAToday.com - See Source

Ian Hartten
Toledo.com