** As published in RCR Wireless News **

LAS VEGAS — There’s no denying the special romance most Americans have with television. But expanding that popular pastime into an equal (or dare they dream, greater) experience on small screens has been as tough and costly as any in the entertainment business.

In an industry where risks rarely pay off — look to NBC’s late-night TV debacle as a perfect example of the power of the status quo in television — technology companies, broadcasters and carriers are trying to open a newer, more daunting platform that could quickly surpass the reach of in-the-home TV by at least 3-to-1.

As you can imagine, none are taking the same path to get there, but things are starting to gel throughout the ecosystem even while every player admits profits won’t be coming anytime soon. Read more

** As published in RCR Wireless News **

LAS VEGAS–It’s been a long time coming, but at this year’s CES many more are willing to say mobile digital television is here and will be ready for consumers in 2010. The Open Mobile Video Coalition, which is comprised of 29 members representing more than 800 stations across the country, showcased a new round of live demonstrations highlighting every member’s place in the ecosystem. Transmitters, receivers, handheld units, netbooks, portable DVD players, USB dongles and other gear were on display during OMVC’s event Wednesday evening.

“The excitement about Mobile DTV is here on display at CES,” said Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Association. “You are seeing history being made.”

While Qualcomm’s FLO TV has enjoyed an essential monopoly on broadcast mobile television via its MediaFLO simulcast network, broadcasters have been scrambling to build an ecosystem and set of standards around a digital broadcast for mobile phones and handheld devices. Read more