Three Steps To Save Mobile TV In The U.S.

Dan Frommer has taken a look at AT&T’s upcoming MediaFLO mobile TV service, as well as Verizon’s V CAST TV offering, to see what’s really needed for Mobile TV to take off in the U.S. As we know, Qualcomm is particularly interested in what needs to be done with MediaFLO, as well.

Frommer contends that only a few small steps would go a long way:

* Build MediaFlo chips into every phone — or at least most phones. Almost a year after launch, Verizon Wireless still only offers four phones that work with MediaFlo — chunky gadgets ranging in price from $99 to $299.

Not surprisingly, the service has hardly taken off: Research firm M:Metrics estimates that 800,000 VZW subscribers — about 1.25% of their overall subs — watch programmed video, including MediaFlo. The fact that you can’t get MediaFlo on an iPhone could be a deal-breaker for a lot of people.

* Figure out mobile rights so mobile TV channels show the same thing as regular TV. Especially sports, which might actually be something we’d watch on a cellphone in short chunks. According to MediaFlo’s program guide, neither NFL playoff game on Sunday was available to cellphone viewers.

* Sell it for less. Verizon charges $15 per month for MediaFlo, on top of regular data plans. That’s too much. Make it cheaper and offer it for free to AT&T U-Verse or satellite TV subscribers.

What do you think? I have to say I agree with Dan’s points, though I don’t know if I’m still sold on Mobile TV.