These companies collectively represent over 280 television stations in the U.S., covering 95 million households, including 49 of the top 50 markets nationwide.
The group’s membership is expected to grow in the coming weeks, and the group anticipates working closely with the Advanced Technology Advocacy Committee of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). The Coalition cordially invites all U.S. based broadcasters to join in driving key initiatives viewed as central to realizing the full potential of the digital broadcast television spectrum in the United States. A number of new technologies have recently been identified that enable reception of digital broadcast television (DTV) signals in portable and mobile environments. When commercialized, these new technologies will enable TV broadcasters to use their existing DTV spectrum and networks to reach consumers anywhere, both in and out of the home.
Exciting, live demos of mobile digital broadcast video technologies will take place at the annual NAB industry conference in Las Vegas this week, and the Coalition strongly encourages broadcasters to experience them. Following NAB, the Coalition will be setting up a conference call for broadcasters to learn more, with date and time to be announced.
Estimates for 2007 U.S. sales of portable and mobile devices capable of video playback run as high as 100 million units. These include sales of video-capable mobile phones, personal media players, portable game players, imaging devices, notebook PCs, and in-car entertainment devices. With the addition of a low-cost receiver module, each of these devices could be built to receive DTV broadcasts from any of the 1,600 digital television stations in the U.S. that choose to transmit mobile capable signals. DTV spectrum is ideally suited for mobile video. It supports good picture quality, reliable reception inside buildings and on fast-moving vehicles, all using antennas small enough to fit in almost any portable device.
The Coalition’s work will include promoting development of industry technical standards; defining technical objectives and requirements of broadcasters, equipment manufacturers, service operators, content developers and consumers; accelerating the development of new technology, solutions and content; driving regulatory support and promoting consumer adoption of mobile digital broadcast television. Membership in the coalition is open to all U.S.-based television broadcasters.
