Television Enthusiasts Can Get Their TV Fix as FLO TV Personal Television Mobile Device Debuts with Major Retailers

Consumers eager to watch their favorite television programs, sports and news while on-the-go can satisfy their mobile TV craving as the handheld FLO TV Personal Television hits shelves across the nation today. The much-anticipated device from FLO TV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, delivers live and time-shifted content via the award-winning FLO TV mobile TV service and will be available at Amazon.com, Best Buy, and RadioShack.

As part of the launch and for a limited time, FLO TV also announced that the first six months of subscription service will be bundled into the overall retail price of $249.99, after which point a monthly service subscription fee will be charged. FLO TV Personal Television is the first portable digital television to offer all these features in one package: dedicated portable television, live mobile TV from America’s best content providers, a dedicated, nationally available mobile television network, a capacitive touch-screen, long battery life, and an easy to share experience. The FLO TV service programming line-up may differ depending on distribution platform.

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Consumer viewing of movies and TV shows online doubles in 2009

The number of U.S. broadband households watching premium online content, including movies and TV shows via the Internet, doubled in the last year, according to Broadband, Communications, and Entertainment Bundles, a new study from Parks Associates. Currently over 25 million U.S. broadband households regularly watch full-length TV shows online, while over 20 million watch movies online.

The international research firm reports that the growing popularity of online portals such as Hulu.com shows rapid growth in the number of viewers who use the Internet to watch long-tail and premium content. This shift highlights the opportunity for service providers to extend their current pay-TV and video-on-demand services to include online and mobile video features. In fact, providers will have to embrace online video services, including the ability to deliver content across multiple platforms, if they are to remain competitive and attract new subscribers.

Consumer interest in time-shifting content through online portals has increased significantly. Close to 40% of broadband households today watch full-length television shows over the Internet. Enabling access to content anytime through any broadband-enabled device will be a significant challenge for the service providers. However, broadband video opens new revenue channels and opportunities to upgrade subscribers into higher tiers of services.

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Annual set-top shipments worldwide to exceed 200 million by 2013 as service providers seek competitive edge

Demand for high-definition content, time-shifting, and interactive applications will drive growth in the set-top market

The demand for interactive and personalized television services will push annual worldwide set-top box shipments over 200 million by 2013, as providers overhaul their current base with next-generation models.

The research firm’s latest report Set-Top Boxes: Outlook says the global digital transition and new distribution channels like DTT, IPTV, and over-the-top video services will intensify competition in the television service market. Carriers and manufacturers looking for a competitive advantage will replace their current installed base of set-tops with advanced models capable of supporting applications such as time- and place-shifting and Internet-based offerings.

Consumers are attracted to the concept of connected CE, with one-third of U.S. broadband households very interested in a set-top box that connects to their PC and Internet service as well as their TV. While less than ten percent are willing to pay a monthly fee, demand is still on an upward trend, especially as the set-top connects to more and more services.

Growing demand is good news for service providers, especially cable and telco/IPTV operators, who are leveraging the set-top box platform to support their multiplay strategies. With the box connected to a variety of sources, it will expand the battle in the television services market to the entire digital home, affecting every service sector from energy management and security to voice and video.

For the full press release, click here.