Format Wars Over Mobile TV

The BBC reports on how the mobile phone is heating up as the next frontier for television. The article discusses the various trials and technologies competing for mindshare and the many challenges the industry faces.

While many in the industry are bullish, the article cites research predicting a slower consumer uptake. According to Berg Insight, mobile TV in Western Europe "will not be a major contributor to booming mobile content revenues until at least 2012, when transmissions are forecast to reach broadcast quality."

Over in the U.S., In-Stat and Parks Associates concluded in separate reports that "only one in eight consumers was interested in paying for live TV or video content on mobile platforms."

One of the key takeaways from the article is the industry needs to keep video programming for mobile phones short and limit content to 90 seconds...