• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, November 10, 2008

Mobile digital TV appears to be a step closer after two Chicago stations conducted a test that successfully streamed live TV to handheld devices. Local TV stations are pushing for a standard to be developed to facilitate their ability to deliver live news and other local programming.

In addition to Chicago, where Ion Media Networks' local station was involved along with the local Fox owned-and-operated outlet, a second successful test took place in Denver using an Ion station.

Sprint, Verizon and other carriers deliver live TV, but this initiative would allow local broadcasters to deliver to the small screens over the air.

Manufacturers LG and Samsung are working with the broadcasting industry's Open Mobile Video Coalition to develop a standard to launch the service in hundreds of markets. A rollout could come some time next year.

Anne Schelle, the executive director of the OMVC, said the two Chicago stations showed that the proposed standard is nearly ready for prime time: "Consumers can have access to live broadcast content anytime, anywhere."

"As we forge ahead with our shared objective of launching mobile DTV services in 2009, the standard has proven to meet the challenges of such complex terrain as Chicago," said Brandon Burgess, president of the OMVC and Ion Media Networks CEO. "We look forward to actualizing the mobile broadcast platform and providing consumers with real-time, full-motion television--traditional, broadcast and network TV content."