But despite the popularity of those shows, this offer doesn't seem likely to move the bar on mobile TV adoption.
For one thing, the shows seem expensive, going for a minimum of $1.99 per episode, which will buy users only a 24-hour viewing period. That's the same as most shows go for on Apple, but iTunes downloaders own those programs -- meaning they're not limited to a 24-hour viewing window. With Apple's iPhone due to hit the market soon, NBC's plans to offer 24-hour rentals of its shows isn't likely to lure many early adopters -- which also make up the MobiTV subscriber base.
Too, the 24-hour limit might prove impractical, as many mobile batteries run down after several hours; if users spend one of them watching "Monk," that's less time available for talking.
The deal also includes some free add-ons for MobiTV subscribers, including ad-supported versions of some shows, like "Friday Night Lights," "Shear Genius" and "Work Out." But those offerings in themselves don't seem likely to drive MobiTV adoption.