In April 2010, 12 major broadcast groups came together to develop a national mobile content service through a joint venture known as, Mobile Content Venture (MCV). MCV is comprised of Fox, NBC, Pearl Mobile DTV and ION.  The Pearl member companies include: Belo Corp., Cox Media Group, E.W. Scripps General, Inc., Gannett Broadcasting, Hearst, Media General, Meredith Corp., Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc. and Raycom Media.

MCV and its participants will provide content to portable devices using broadcast spectrum, including on-demand video; live local and national news; and sports and entertainment programming. Broadcast spectrum for the new mobile service will initially come from the founding MCV members: Fox, NBC, Pearl Mobile DTV and ION.  In addition, MCV is actively working with Fox and NBC affiliates, as well as additional broadcasters, to expand the broadcast footprint.

By late 2011, MCV plans to roll out a mobile TV service in at least 32 DMAs. At launch, the service will initially consist of at least two ad-supported, free-to-consumer channels in each DMA.  Additional channels and markets are expected to be added throughout 2011.

In order to receive the mobile video service, consumers will need a device capable of receiving a specific type of mobile video broadcast (ATSC-MH), encrypted with standards-based conditional access.  MCV is working with various OEMs and device manufacturers to make these devices available.

MCV’s mobile video service will offer consumers access to mobile video content by utilizing existing broadcast spectrum from its participating stations to offer a breadth of mobile video, including news, sports and entertainment content.  The technology being deployed by MCV will permit all broadcasters, in a scalable manner, to deliver popular video content in a spectrally-efficient manner as compared to wireless IP technology.  Additional DMAs, content and device manufacturers are expected to be announced in the coming months.

Participating Partners:

Technology Partners: