Virgin Mobile to beam live programmes on cellphones |
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Fri, 08 Sep 2006 10:40
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LONDON - British Telecom (BT) and Virgin Mobile have joined hands to launch Britain's first nationwide digital television service for mobile phone users. Mobile users can now watch live programs from BBC One, ITV1, Channel 4 and E4 along with the capability of listening to more than 50 digital radio stations on their handsets.
The new service, named as BT Movio, is available for all Virgin Mobile users from October 1. Though cellphone users can watch live programs from other channels, Channel 4 will be available as soon as both the broadcaster and Virgin Mobile settle out differences regarding the rights to its programmes. In the meantime, Virgin Mobile is offering some video clips of the channel, nicknamed “Short Cuts”.
Though the offer is limited to Virgin Mobile, from the next year onwards, other services can use the technology. The service is available to all the customers of Virgin Mobile who have signed a contract worth £25 a month. Pre-paid customers will be required to buy a £199 handset and pay £5 a month. Pre-paid customers can also enjoy a three-month free trail before deciding to subscribe for the service.
This is the first time that channels will be beamed live to all the mobile handsets. Though other operators such as Vodafone and 3 are offering video service, these are pre-recorded clips, which are sent over their mobile phone networks. Using the Movio service, cellphone users can now view programs live on their handsets at the same time as they are shown on TV.
Emma Lloyd, managing director of BT Movio, said, "You're going to be able to get EastEnders, Coronation Street, Lost - all the programmes that get millions of viewers a week - shown on your mobile phone wherever you are".
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