• by David Goetzl , February 5, 2008

Not surprisingly, a group of 800 broadcasters endorsed a study released last week by an affiliated trade group touting the potential for $2 billion in revenues from mobile TV content in the next few years. And it joined in support of the conclusion that a mobile TV standard is needed to achieve the windfall.

The Open Mobile Video Coalition backed the NAB study Monday, while suggesting the research may have underplayed the dollar potential since it did not include a possible intake from mobile VOD content, and other possible revenue streams.

The NAB study's $2 billion potential is predicated on agreed-upon standards being adopted by next year, and argues that delays could costs $50 million in lost revenues per month.

Coalition chairman Brandon Burgess of Ion said: "The NAB study validates the belief among (our) members that mobile digital television represents an enormous opportunity for broadcasters--and we will work assiduously with other broadcasters, device makers, content companies, and service operators, to ensure the full potential of mobile digital television is fulfilled.

"We also understand the costs of a delay in agreeing upon a standard, and believe that a delay beyond February 2009 in launching services can cause irreparable harm to the mobile broadcast business." The coalition said it will offer resources "to facilitate and accelerate the development of a mobile television standard, and the launch of mobile television services." And it will be conducting trials in 2008, in preparation for the hoped-for February 2009 launch.