• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, February 4, 2008

Trade group NAB says broadcasters can garner an extra $2 billion annually by 2012 from delivering content to wireless devices--if an industry standard is established in the next year.

The findings, drawn from a study commissioned by the NAB's technology advocacy program FASTROAD (Flexible Advanced Services for Television & Radio On All Devices), advises that an industry-adopted standard be in place by early next year.

BIA Financial Network and the Law and Economics Consulting Group (LECG) spearheaded the report, which says the approximate $2 billion would result in $1.1 billion for local stations and some $900 million for networks and syndicators.

Revenues would come from advertising attached to the mobile content, subscription dollars and some compensation from wireless providers. There are several new standards on the table for mobile broadcasting allowing the transfer of content to cell phones and in-car screens.

The Open Mobile Video Coalition, a group supported by broadcasters, has been developing a standard since its launch in April last year.