MobiTV

Hello, My Name is MobiTV

Sometimes you think you know a person.

You've heard about them, you've seen them around and you're sure you've got a good read on who they are and what they're about.

And then, you have a conversation with them, and you learn about dimensions you never knew existed.

At MobiTV, Inc. we're well-known for our flagship MobiTV app which delivers over 35 channels of live and on-demand programming to AT&T, Verizon and other mobile TV subscribers - and which is 'white-labeled' for Sprint (yep, we power SprintTV too).

The thing is, we're more than just a pretty face.

MobiTV, Inc. is a technology company, and our hosted end-to-end service platform delivers mobile video experiences across multiple client applications to hundreds of handsets.

That means that in addition to our core MobiTV product, our technology powers many incredible mobile experiences.  Think NBA League Pass Mobile, the first to deliver live games from a major sports league across multiple mobile platforms and carriers.

Or, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) app for iPhone, the first to offer live, Pay-Per-View content on mobile.

We caught up with our CTO, Kay Johansson, who had this to add, "Major wireless operators turn to MobiTV, Inc to deliver the experiences their subscribers are asking for.  We're continuing to innovate on our platform, which is designed to scale with the demands of the rapidly growing mobile TV market." 

Well-said, Kay.

Check us out on the New LG Arena

AT&T's newest smartphone is making a splash. 

In this time where making calls are what we spend the least amount of time doing on our phone, the LG Arena is giving today's mobile loving multi-tasker plenty to do.

One of the most notable features on the Arena is the large, high-def screen.  At a whopping 480x800 pixels, your MobiTV (get the app in the AT&T Mall), MobiVJ and XM Radio (pre-loaded in AT&T Music) are poised to impress.

Yes, you can event get your reality TV fix with the new season of Real Housewives of New York City which boasts full episodes on Mobile by Bravo (along with Kell on Earth).

What else is so special about the new LG Arena you ask?  Well, in addition to MobiTV which delivers roughly 50 channels of live and on-demand TV (news, sports, comedy, music videos, etc) the 5-megapixel camera with a 2x zoom, GPS Navigation and video share features certainly set it apart.

Check out the LG Arena here on AT&T.

If you have this device, leave us a comment and tell us what you think.

Watch Rascal Flatts on CSI, Answer and Win

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation fans are used to thrills and suspense but things always heat up with big name guest stars.

One of the hottest bands in country music, Rascal Flatts join the CSI ranks in a special episode, "Unshocked".  To celebrate we are teaming up with CBS Mobile to throw a little trivia/prize combo your way. 

The first person to watch the episode and tell us 'who done it' will receive a box set of DVDs from a popular CBS series.  

Check out a clip of "Unshocked":

When a band member of Rascal Flatts is electrocuted by his own guitar during a concert, the CSI team investigates if it was a case of foul play.  Rascal Flatts guest start as themselves in addition to actor Will Patton ("24") who will play CIA Associate Director, Craig Halliday.

Watch CSI on your mobile phone (AT&T, Verizon, US Cellular & Sprint) with new episodes each week on demand along with other CBS favorites like CSI: Miami, NCIS, NCIA: Los Angeles and newly available episodes of Rules of Engagement.

Text "GETTV" to 43888 to get MobiTV on your phone.

Mobile TV Usage Trends

With such a wide offering of live and on-demand programming,  we thought we'd share some of the trends we're seeing.

It's true we've seen a pretty consistent rise in both subscribers and viewership.  With a subscriber base well into the several million marker, our flagship MobiTV app has experienced a 49 percent increase in daily viewing minutes of the year prior.

So, when do we see these usage spikes anyway?  Well, with our live news channels like MSNBC, FOX News and ABC News NOW it's no surprise that when breaking news or high profile events occur, people turn to their mobile phones.    

That's certainly not to leave live sports, events and top entertainment out of picture. With our ESPN Mobile TV channel, users are enjoying roughly 40 hours of live sports from leagues around the world like NBA, MLB, La Liga soccer, NCAA and beyond.

Ray DeRenzo, CMO of MobiTV, Inc. had this to say, "We're focused on delivering an experience that is more than just TV on your cell phone with a live experience that compliments the on-demand offerings that consumers really care about, which we believe will continue to inspire increased consumer demand for our service." 

Well said, Ray!

Calling All Nickelodeon Fans

Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick - Nickelodeon!

Now, anywhere you bring your little ones, Nickelodeon can come too! 

The brand that has been delighting kids young and old for decades has joined the ranks of mobile TV stardom.  Playing on your mobile phone are some of Nickelodeon's classic shows and cartoons; enough to entertain anytime or anywhere.

With Nickelodeon on your phone, you can watch content form episodes of iCarly, Fan Boy & Chum Chum, Victorious, a brand new show premiering in April and of course everyone's favorite porous friend, SpongeBob SquarePants - with new episodes coming your way toward the end of March.

All these shows and more are available on demand, so you can watch any show in the line-up with the ability to play and pause. 

Get to know these Nickelodeon shows:

iCarly: Carly Shay led a pretty normal life until she and her longtime friends started their own web show, iCarly. When the show becomes an instant success, Carly and pals try to balance their new found success with the problems of everyday life.

Big Time Rush: Life is changing in a big way for four best friends from Minnesota.  When they trade in their normal teen lives for a top spot in Hollywood as pop sensations they discover that life in the spotlight isn't always easy.  

Watch these shows and more on your AT&T, Sprint, Alltel or Verizon phone on MobiTV and Sprint TV Xtra.

Why Music Fanatics Love MobiTV

Naturally, there are a plethora rhymes to this reason.

First, the team that programs all 11 of our music video channels ARE music fanatics.  Need some evidence?  Let's meet them:

Our Director of Music, Shane Tobin has been around the proverbial music biz block (if you know what i mean ;).  From managing a Grammy-nominated band to working for hot music companies like imeem and House of Blues early on, he's got a pulse on music that would even make your iPod envious. 

Then there's Kelli Gazich, our resident guru whose refreshing youthful presence and deep-threaded passion for all genre's of music (even some, i'd never heard of) keeps us all on our toes. 

Kelli and Shane personally work with the record labels to get the latest, hottest and even niche music videos each and every week. 

Here's a preview of what Kelli just added to your already killer music video line-up on MobiTV and MobiVJ this morning:

BFF (Teen pop channel): Cobra Starship - "Hot Mess" (Remix)

Chaos Extreme (Hard Rock) - Slipknot - "Snuff", Theory of a Deadman - "All or Nothing"

Double Z (Country) - Francesca Battistelli - "Beautiful, Beautiful"

Ritmo Caliente (Latin Pop) - Trey Songz: "Say Aah", New Boyz: "Tie Me Down", Iyaz: "Replay"

R&B Jamz (R&B hits) - Estelle: "Wait a Minute"

The Mic (Hip Hop) - Waka Flocka Flame: "O Let's Do It"

Other top artists you can watch include Jay-Z, Paramore, Lupe Fiasco, Green Day, Muse, Death Cab for Cutie, Zac Brown Band, Tommy Torres, Fedro and beyond.

Have questions or comments or requests for our music duo (Shane and Kelli)?  Leave a comment and they'll gladly respond.

Must Watch College Hoops Tonight

As we prepare to wrap-up the month of February and head into March, all eyes are on the college hoops contenders. 

With just two weeks left in the regular season in most conferences, the fight is really on.

Each day, we highlight specific live sporting events on our Twitter feed.  For those of you not in the know, ESPN Mobile TV is your ticket to live sports, news and more on your phone every day with roughly 60 hours of coverage weekly.  So, if you do the math (go on, we'll wait...) against the $9.99 price tag of MobiTV (or if you're on Sprint, Sprint TV Xtra) per month, plus 30 OTHER channels, that is well, pretty awesome.

On tap tonight: a Men's NCAA triple-header!  Keep your Thursday night plans and take the games to go. 

The action begins at 7pm ET with Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball - Tulsa vs (#5) Duke.  The Blue Devils are looking to extend their current 6 game winning streak in their quest to secure a #1 seed in the big tournament next month. 

Next up, South Carolina faces No. 2 ranked Kentucky.  The battle begins at 9pm ET as the Wildcats anxiously await the opportunity to return the favor and knock-off the Gamecocks who handed them their only defeat of the season nearly a month ago.

The final piece of the triple-header lands in Spokane, WA as Gonzaga hosts Santa Clara.  The Gonzaga Bulldogs will look to earn their ninth straight victory over Santa Clara in addition to clenching a 10th consecutive West Coast Conference regular-season title.

Love your NBA?  ESPN Mobile TV hosts NBA Friday with a double-header: Dallas Mavericks Vs. Atlanta Hawks at 7pm ET.  Then check out Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic in New Orleans Vs. the Hornets at 9:30 pm ET.

To get TV on your phone, text "GETTV" to 43888.

NBA LEAGUE PASS Mobile - Ranked Top Sports App

If you haven't heard by now, the NBA launched it's first official LIVE streaming mobile app for the 2009-2010 season...and it's powered by MobiTV.

Since the launch in late October, NBA LEAGUE PASS Mobile has risen to steady success.  The app launched with availability on the TMobile G1 and MyTouch Android platform. 

In just a few short months the app has grown in distribution and performance.  It now spans across nearly 10 high-profile devices, 5 US carriers and 4 service platforms (i.e. Android, Apple, etc)...and counting.

So, where are we today?  With roughly two months left in the NBA season, NBA LEAGUE PASS Mobile now sits at the #2 position of all sports apps in the Apple App Store. 

On the heels of this success, we are pleased to welcome another device to the starting line-up.  Check out which one through BlackBerry App World.

If you're a die-hard NBA fan, NBA LEAGUE PASS Mobile is a must, especially if you're an out-of-market fan.  With access to roughly 40 LIVE games per week across the league, stats, game replays and more, the $19.99 price tag is well worth it.

Text "PASS" to 43888 from your phone to get NBA LEAGUE PASS Mobile today.

Poll: Where do you Watch Mobile TV?

The beautiful thing about TV on your phone is that you can take it anywhere.

With over 40 channels of live, on demand and made-for-mobile shows, you can devour or snack on the shows you follow 24/7...and for less than $10 a month (hollar!).

It has been awhile since the last time we gave you the opportunity to share when and where you Mobi - so here's your chance.  If you select "other" please leave a comment so we can share your contribution. 

The first five people to answer our poll will win a prize (box dvd set, t-shirts, cds and MobiTV swag). Leave us a comment and we'll hook you up.

Like to watch? Where do you watch TV on your phone? On your commute In line at the DMV, coffee shop, or wherever Out shopping with your guy/girl At home, in a room that doesn\'t have a TV in the restroom At the airport, waiting for your flight, bags, etc. Other view results There

I Want it Now...

Like us, we know you want and appreciate the immediacy of media to go.  Net-net, no one wants to be the last to know.

That's why we provide the top tier news channels LIVE on the MobiTV service.  At the top of the guide you'll find live news from MSNBC, FOX News and ABC News NOW plus additional coverage from NBC News and CNBC. 

You'll never predict (unless you possess clairvoyance) when breaking news will happen. But when it does, you shouldn't have to rush to your TV or computer. 

In fact, we feel that anything you want to watch whether its celeb gossip highlights from Access Hollywood or ET, your daytime soaps (Days of our Lives) or your primetime shows (The Office, 30 Rock, CSI, etc) are all there for you 24/7. 

See what's playing on a phone ON you for less than $10 a month: AT&T, Sprint, Alltel, Verizon, US Cellular.

Want more MobiTV updates? Follow @MobiTV on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.