Mobile TV

Update: an interesting argument that, if it ever takes off, mobile TV will eventually be free! And an initial knee-jerk reaction of mobile operators.

There is a lot of hype lately regarding the new mobile TV services that are being launched over 3G networks throughout Europe. All the reports that I have come across are very enthusiastic about the market prospects of this service. I am more skeptical though.

The Guardian jokes with the possibility that people will be bumping into lamp posts as they will be walking, immersed into their favorite TV shows on their mobile phones. Another article half-jokes about the impracticalities of watching mobile TV while riding a bike, and says that this would be the only thing potentially holding back mobile TV adoption among young people. Both authors, however, are enthusiastic with the prospects of mobile TV.

Maybe they will prove right. But their examples suggest two potentially important limitations of this service.

First, the services that have worked best on the mobile phone are interactive (messaging and gaming). TV is the epitomy of passive immersion, and in total opposition to interactive engagement.

Second, it seems strange to me that while TV in general is rapidly moving towards large screen formats, high definition video and multi-channel audio, people will be so keen on the programming as to settle for such a poor video and audio experience on the mobile phone.