AT&T Pushes Back Mobile TV Debut To May

A year after Verizon Wireless's similar launch, AT&T has set May 2008 as the date when it will debut mobile TV using Qualcomm's MediaFlo service.

AT&T plans to deliver full-length programming from networks including CBS Mobile, Fox Mobile, Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile TV, and MTV. The service will debut on two new handsets, the LG Vu and the Samsung Access. It will also add a pair of exclusive channels yet to be named.

AT&T initially set January 2008 as the launch date for mobile TV, but has continually postponed the release.

Aiming to steal some of its rival's thunder, Verizon Wireless announced that it would add a pair of new channels to its MediaFlo-powered V Cast Mobile TV offering--MTV Tr3s and ESPN Radio.

The bilingual MTV Tr3s features popular programs including Sucker Free Latino, Karlifornia, Quiero Mis Quinces, Pimpeando, and Rock Dinner.

MTV will promote the mobile TV service on the cable network's Web site and radio outlet as well as on a 40-foot electronic billboard in New York's Times Square.

The new ESPN Radio channel will feature around-the-clock sports news and analysis from shows including Mike & Mike in the Morning, The Mike Tirico Show, The Pulse and GameNight.

Separately, Verizon is also launching new Mobile Web 2.0 sites for Viacom-owned cable networks MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and CMT. The carrier's Mobile Web 2.0 portal launched last year is intended to provide easier access to e-mail, news, sports and weather from partners including ESPN, USA Today and MapQuest.

In further announcements leading up to the CTIA conference this week, Verizon said it was adding on-deck access to MySpace Mobile across its Mobile Web 2.0-compatible phones from handset makers including LG, Motorola and Samsung.

In partnership with Loopt, Verizon in April will launch a find-a-friend service that uses GPS technology to pinpoint another subscriber's location. That information can then be broadcast to friends and family. Subscribers can also tag photos and send them to friends with location information appended.

Verizon will offer the service for $3.99 a month. Loopt has been offering the location service on select Sprint and Boost Mobile phones for more than a year.

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