Broadcasters on a roll with mobile DTV

In an announcement no doubt timed to catch the attention of consumer electronics manufacturers, the Mobile500 Alliance said that its membership now includes broadcast companies that own TV stations in 92 percent of the country. These stations, therefore, are either already transmitting their signals over-the-air to mobile DTV receiving devices or plan to do so.

This is important for CE makers who need to build those devices. It's also important for broadcasters who want to change their stodgy image from the livingroom to the mobile consumer. And, it could be important for cable operators as broadcasters leverage mobile DTV to fight an FCC spectrum grab. There could also be an impact on future retransmission discussions, although that's fuzzier than a snowy picture right now.

It's also important to note that only seven TV stations from among the 414 in the Mobile500 membership are currently broadcasting mobile DTV.

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