Is Free The Way Forward For Mobile TV?

MTV LogoAt 3GSM MTV’s chief digital officer, Jason Hirschhorn, said that the broadcaster would “enter into discussions with operators over an advertising-based business model”.
“Ultimately, I think advertising against mobile content will make this a mass-market business. Free is always good for the consumer,” said Hirschhorn. Possibly, but they’d have to keep in mind the short time-frame of people watching mobile TV — having long ad-breaks at 10-15 minute intervals is not going to work. Anyway, MTV is keen to do a trial around ad-supported video content.
Mike Masnick over at TechDirt reckons this is the only viable business model: “It’s not a question of whether or not free is the right model, but a recognition that it’s likely to be the only model.” He cites companies like Sling and Orb which transfer shows from the regular TV to other devices such as mobile phones…this gives the whole, current range of TV without any ongoing fees from the companies. Of course, these companies transfer the video over the internet, and even over 3G networks that would destroy anyone’s data package. Once Wi-Fi enabled handsets become common it could be a different thing, of course…
Related stories:
MTV To Make 3GSM Debut
MTV Networks’ Mobile Move
Ad-Supported Mobile Video Deals Underway

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