Market is shaping up for mobile TV in India

With the braodcasters and telecom operators bracing themselves for a full-fledged launch of mobile televesion in India, there are different formats of content which are going to be on the mobile subsribers platter. Emerging views on the Indian market suggest that abbreviated content and interactive platforms could be the main area of opportunity in the mobile TV space.

While price and quality of service would determine how mobile TV is able to go mass in the booming mobile market, nobody is doubting the potential that the market presents for both the broadcasters as content providers and for telecom operators. Mobile TV would become an additional distribution channel for content providers other than cable and if backed with right pricing model, it has huge revenue potential.

Don Price, Director (networks) at Bharti Airtel, adds that the market is at a nascent level and it may take at least one year to see how the market shapes up. However, he points out that the international markets, where it was already launched, are giving some indications like full length movies may not be what the market is particularly inclined to spend on.

The opportunities include entertainment content in capsule form like songs, interactive programmes like game shows as well as sports. However, pricing of handsets compatible with good quality streaming of content would be a factor which would determine the penetration rate of mobile TV in the country.

Source : The Economic Times

Interesting sites : Mobile TV Forum