The array of new television services possible through implementation of mobile DTV was demonstrated to members of Congress and Administration officials at a special Capitol Hill event on July 28. The event also marked last month’s transition to digital-only transmission by the nation’s full power telecasters.
The Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC), ION Media Networks and area broadcasters previewed the launch of mobile television services and also demonstrated the latest advances in HDTV and off-air transmission of multiple services to viewers at home.
“Much of the transition has been about keeping people’s analog televisions from going dark,” said Brandon Burgess, chairman and CEO of ION Media Networks. “Now, it’s time to showcase the great new services made possible by DTV.”
Burgess also is president of the OMVC.
In his remarks, Burgess used the term “triple play” to describe the pluses associated with digital transmission: improved audio and video quality, multiple free ancillary channels, and mobile DTV.
ION initiated mobile DTV service in the Washington, D.C. area on June 13 as part of a showcasing arrangement for such services in the nation’s capitol. Additional broadcasters, including Fox Television, Gannett, Universal, MHz Network, Sinclair Broadcasting Group and PBS are also participating in the mobile DTV initiative and were part of the event put on this week.
