FLO’s Demise A Lesson for OMVC ?

FLO’s Demise A Lesson for OMVC ?

What lessons does the impending shutdown of FLO TV have for the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC)? Probably just one: It is not good to be way out front with a new technology or be too late out of the gate.

Our friends at the ATSC wanted the best engineering solution rather than the most flexible. (Like CODFM.) It was only when the bean counters made the engineers realize that over-the-air television was a non-issue for 90% of the country, that thought was given to the potential market of non-stationary TV devices. (A revenue loss of 10% per year will make people rethink their business model.)

So will Mobile DTV take off or has the past 15 months of digital transmission soured the potential mobile audience?

(Thanks to Engadget.)

UPDATE: Mobile DTV remains a non-issue. TV Newscheck had the best summary of the situation here.

Mobile DTV – Too Little, Too Late?

Mobile DTV – Too Little, Too Late?

Samsung Moment

Receiving a big send-off from manufacturers at this week’s CES, free mobile digital television could either be part of broadcast TV’s salvation, or a non-starter. With so many under-30’s used to watching on their computers or downloading to their portable devices, mobile DTV may only be a big hit in soccer mom’s minivans.

(Photo: Samsung Moment Android powered phone to be used in testing Mobile DTV in Baltimore and Washington D.C.)