ntl and O2 to trial multi-channel TV to mobiles

ntl's Broadcast division and O2 have announced the UK's first usability trial of multi-channel television to mobile phones, beginning in spring 2005. From nine broadcast transmitters covering 120 square km around Oxford, the trial will see 500 O2 customers provided with a multimedia mobile phone with a built-in digital TV receiver. This will allow the participants to receive a line-up of 16 TV channels comprising music, sports, news, comedy, soaps, documentary, drama, cartoons and specialist channels including interactive gaming and shopping. The trial will test consumer demand for mobile TV services, and the perceived value of specific types of content and likely viewing habits that could shape an eventual service proposition.