MOBILE TELEVISION: The Next Profit Center for Broadcasters

As broadcasters seek new ways to monetize their digital spectrum after the Feb. 17, 2009
switch from analog-to-digital television signals, they are increasingly eyeing the prospects
of delivering video and data to mobile phones, the Internet and other portable devices.
On May 21st a panel of industry experts will discuss the progress towards a new technical
standard for mobile DTV and examine the operational challenges and fi nancial implications
of creating a new delivery path for local TV.

CRITICAL ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THIS WEBCAST WILL INCLUDE:
• Standards— Will the Advanced Television Systems Committee form a new Mobile and Handheld
(ATSC-M/H) standard in time for stations to launch commercial services in 2009?
• Bandwidth— How will broadcasters juggle their limited transmission capacity to support mobile
DTV broadcasts without jeopardizing their existing high-definition and standard- definition digital
services?
• Competition— How will mobile DTV broadcasts stack up against existing mobile TV services such
as MediaFLO or MobiTV? How will it complement on-demand video content services already
offered by local stations through cellular providers?
• Business model— Will mobile DTV be an advertising-supported free service, a pay-TV platform, or
a combination of both? What is the potential fi nancial upside to local stations? How big will the
new revenue stream be for broadcasters who undertake this challenge and how can they keep
costs down?
• Operational impact— How much of an investment in equipment and personnel will stations have to
make to launch mobile DTV?
• Content— What sort of programming would be offered through such a service? How will stations
with shrinking production staffs cost-effectively program it, or will they be carrying content from
third-parties? Will network content be featured, and if so, what are the copyright implications?
What are the challenges, key considerations and workfl ow for transforming content for mobile
and Web audiences?

MODERATOR:

Glen Dickson
Senior Editor: Technology
Broadcasting & Cable

PANELISTS:

Scott Matics
Product Manager
Thomson Grass Valley

Mark Richer
President
Advanced Television
Systems Committee

Anne Schelle
Executive Director
Open Mobile
Video Coalition

Sterling Davis
Vice President
of Engineering
Cox Broadcasting
Jim Conschafter,
Senior Vice President
of Broadcast Stations,
Media General
Broadcast Group