Boost Mobile is staking its claim in the mobile OTT space by teaming with MobiTV, a multiscreen video service provider, to deliver prepaid online video services to its mobile customers. The companies announced that they are working together on the service, which offers both live and on-demand video content.
 |
|
The new Live Sports add-on features 7 channels.(Source: Boost Mobile) |
MobiTV is powering Boost's service, dubbed boostTV, delivering video content to the MVNO's (mobile virtual network operator) subscribers. It's also handling the billing portion of the service. While MobiTV's platform is capable of integrating billing with all Tier 1 U.S. wireless carriers, this is the company's first prepaid partnership.
"Being selected by one of America's top prepaid carriers showcases the strength of our technology platform, as well as the continued demand for a flexible and reliable platform capable of delivering TV content anytime and in any place," said Charlie Nooney, CEO and chairman of MobiTV, in a statement.
BoostTV rolled out its Live Sports package on June 2. The package includes seven sports-oriented channels and costs an additional $10 over the subscriber's prepaid phone and data plan.
Wireless operators are increasingly taking an interest in controlling more of the video content that streams over their networks. Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ), for example, recently announced it will launch an OTT service this summer featuring ad-supported content--a big part of why Verizon Communications bought AOL in May for $4.4 billion.
For a virtual operator like Boost, which operates on Sprint's 3G, 4G and Nationwide networks, MobiTV allows it to stay in the game as users increasingly demand a reliable mobile video experience. As a background player, MobiTV has powered multiscreen services for a number of providers in the pay-TV industry. It offers other white-label products and services such as its MobiTV Connect HDMI streaming stick, which is in use by an unnamed major pay-TV operator.
"Over the past few years there has been a growth of TV consumption through computers, tablets and smartphones especially sports making this the perfect opportunity to launch a product like boostTV," said Dow Draper, president of Boost Mobile and Sprint Prepaid. "We look forward to working with MobiTV to bring instant access to live and on-demand content, particularly around can't-miss, large-scale sporting events."
For more:
- see the release
- see this Boost release
Related articles:
Verizon to focus on ad-based business model for OTT video offering
Operator to launch MobiTV streaming HDMI stick in first half of this year
MobiTV powers TV Everywhere for Japan's TV Bank