MobiTV

Love is in the Air and on Your Phone

If you've frequented your local florist, drug or department store lately you were most likely bombarded with  Valentines Day reminders.

Well, we're definitely not inclined to shove Cupid's holiday in your face but if you're asking yourself, 'where is the love?', your mobile phone will hook you up.

Starting today, Sprint customers (with an unlimited data plan) can check out the entire classic movie, Only You, starring Robert Downey Jr and Marisa Tomei.  The full length movie will be available all week long at the top of the Sprint TV guide in the Sprint Free Preview folder.

They say that laughter is love's best medicine.  If you'd prefer a little humor on the subject of love, you've got to check out the Comedy Time channel on all our carriers (AT&T- MobiTV, Alltel TV, Sprint TV Xtra, Verizon- MobiTV, US Cellular - MobiTV).

Start loving TV on the go - text "GETTV" to 43888 and get MobiTV on your phone for $9.99/month

Ultrafy Your Mobile

Warning! The topic matter discussed in this blog post will encourage you to spontaneously bust a move.

Ultra Records invites you to "Ultrafy" your AT&T, Verizon, Alltel, Sprint or US Cellular phone. 

Introducing the brand spanking new Ultra Records music video channel on MobiTV and MobiVJ.  Your favorite electronic dance music artists from the Ultra label have come together to get you moving no matter where you are.  

Check out top music vids from Pitbull (I Know You Want Me), Basshunter (Now You're Gone), Guru Josh Project (Infinity), Enur (Calabria 2007), Calvin Harris (Flashback) and many more! 

Love Ultra Records?  Tell us which artists you want to see/hear on the channel and we'll let you know when it's coming. 

Fire-Up Your iPhone - UFC 109 Goes Mobile

UFC fans everywhere are counting down to the highly anticipated UFC 109 event, Relentless.

The official UFC app, powered by MobiTV offers video-on-demand and text-based stories focused on fighters, UFC events, breaking news, weigh-ins, interviews and more, all for less than a buck.  Access the info you want, whenever and wherever you are right from your iPhone.

But that's not all.  If you have the UFC app, you can upgrade via pay-per-view to the LIVE events.  Tons of UFC fans watched the UFC 108 event from their iPhone and loved the portable experience. 

So right, we're not saying (and neither were they) that it's better to watch on your 5 inch as opposed to your 60 inch at home.  The praise was for quality (especially over WiFi) and the ability to watch live on the go.

If you do plan to watch the LIVE UFC 109 event from your phone, let us know!

Thoughts on a New Year by CEO, Charlie Nooney

Believe it or not, we've turned the page on another year, another decade and the first month of 2010.  After a whirlwind year, the mobile industry undeniably picked-up steam despite economic challenges.  So we figured we'd sit down with CEO, Charlie Nooney to get his take on what the year holds.

Q: So, is 2010 truly 'the year' for mobile?

Charlie: Well, this is an interesting one.  From where i sit, every year since MobiTV was founded in 1999 has been the year for mobile!  And, that's just to say that we've been focused on establishing and growing this market from the beginning.  But, from a mainstream perspective, there are lots of indicators that mobile is coming into its own this year.  It was a major area of discussion at CES  (Consumer Electronics Show) and is getting attention from cable operators and programmers.

Q: Last year was an impressive adoption year in the mobile space.  Do you anticipate the same rate of growth in 2010?

Charlie: I'll let forecasters and industry analysts predict rates of growth.  What I've learned from years in business is to know what you can control and then manage, measure and grow it with the resource you have.  MobiTV has seen double digit growth year-over-year, and that's a streak we want to maintain.  We'll do that by continuing to focus on the end user, and deliver a next generation mobile media experience that offers features and functionality beyond just 'TV on your phone'.

Q: How does the rapid growth in the mobile media space affect the strategy for MobiTV?

Charlie: Having more people come to the party is a good thing.  It validates the market and we're thrilled with the implications - that the risk a talented, visionary group took in 1999 was worth it.

ABC's LOST: The Final Season

ABC's LOST needs no introduction.

What promises to be an epic final season of a series that has attracted millions of viewers will be available in full on mobile through MobiTV (AT&T, Verizon, Alltel, US Cellular & others).

Starting February 3rd, follow the final season of LOST with full episodes on ABC Mobile.

It became a global phenomenon, now the epic adventure of ABC's LOST is coming to an end.  After season 5's explosive finish, everything is up in the air for the survivors of Flight 815.

No one knows what - or who - the future will hold.  Will Juliet's sacrifice to save her friends work?  Can Kate choose once and for all between Jack and Sawyer?  Will Sun and Jin be reunited?  IS it too late to save Claire?  Whatever awaits on the island, one thing is certain - the moment of truth has arrived.

Discover the secret living inside Locke, revisit old friends and see how the powerful, epic struggle between Jacob and the  mysterious Man in Black comes to an end.  It's the thrilling conclusion of television's...and now mobile's most addictive, mind-bending series ever.

Watch a sneak peek here.

Get ready for the sixth season of LOST and enjoy watching on the go through MobiTV!

Grammy Nominated Artists Now Playing

Music lovers spanning the world are on pins and needles waiting to find out who will reign supreme at the 52nd Grammy Awards.

The nominees have been announced and await the big awards show this Sunday, January 31st. 

So, instead of twiddling your thumbs willing Sunday to roll around put those hands to work and fire-up music videos on your phone on MobiTV (music and TV) and/or MobiVJ (music videos).

We're thrilled to have several of the nominees listed in our music video line-up.  With over 10 channels across multiple genres, we're representing all flavors of your music appetite.  Hip Hop and R&B fans can watch videos from Jay-Z, Pleasure P, Trey Songz, Sean Paul and more on the The Mic and R&B Jamz.  Alternative fans get Green Day, Nickleback, Linkin Park and then some on Chaos.  For all the tweens (or the young at heart), catch Paramore on BFF.  Country Music fans can get down with vids from the Zac Brown Band on Double Z Country.

Catch highlights from the Grammy's on demand next Monday via Access Hollywood on MobiTV.

Don't Miss the State of the Union Address Live on MobiTV

On Wednesday, January 27, Barack Obama will deliver his first State of the Union Address.

There is no question, this speech comes at a critical moment for the US. 

The President will focus on key themes like job creation, proposals to cut the staggering federal deficit, health care reform and the military presence abroad.

The State of the Union Address will take place in the nation's capital to a joint session of Congress, delivered on the floor of the House of Representatives.

For those of us on the West Coast, the speech will begin at 5pm, just around peak commute time.  Whether you're sitting in your office or on the move, you can watch the State of the Union address LIVE on three different mobile channels - ABC News NOW, FOX News, and MSNBC.

Our live news channels will be providing full coverage including special programming after the address which will include thoughts, comments and interviews from top political analysts. 

Get MobiTV on your phone by texting "GETTV" to 43888.

Join the Haiti Relief Effort - Live Telethon

On Tuesday, January 12th the nation of Haiti experienced a catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake. The International Red Cross estimated that roughly three million people were affected by the quake.

Since that day, the world has united to rally around the relief effort.  Volunteers and donations have been pouring in to benefit the victims during this devastating time - but there is still work to be done.

On Friday, January 22nd, leaders in the music, entertainment, TV and movie industries gather to encourage a global effort to get involved in the great time of need.  Sprint, MobiTV and partners invite you to "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief", a worldwide event that will be airing LIVE on Sprint TV.

Several one-of-a-kind collaborations will highlight the event, including the hookup between U2's Bono and The Edge with Jay-Z and Rihanna in London and a jam featuring Kid Rock, Keith Urban and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles. 

Appearing in New York, Wyclef and Springsteen will be joined by Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira and Sting.  Other performers include John Legend, Dave Matthews, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera. 

The even will be hosted by George Clooney and feature Wycleff Jean, a native of Haiti and CNN's Anderson Cooper.  Sprint TV is joined by several networks that will also be airing the event live on their standard broadcast channels: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, the CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT.

Tune-in from 8-10pm ET and donate by calling-in or texting "GIVE" to 50555.  All proceeds will directly benefit Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF and Wyclef's Yele Haiti Foundation.

We thank you sincerely for your generosity. 

Fore! CSI Drives Special "Long Ball" Episode

Tee up your mobile phone this Friday, because CSI: Crime Scene Investigation will deliver another killer episode.

This week, the CSI team delves into the world of professional golf when the body of a legendary player is discovered during a high-profile tournament.  Any guesses on who it might be (hint: no, his name is not also known as a striped jungle cat)?

If you're drawing a blank, forget about it and check out the all-star guest line-up: Rocco Mediate, Gary McCord, Jonathan Antin, Duffy Waldorf, David Feherty and Natalie Gulbis.  

Here's a sneak peek at the episode:

Watch the latest CSI on MobiTV each week on demand through CBS Mobile in the "Primetime" folder within the MobiTV lineup on your AT&T, Verizon or Alltel phone.  "Long Ball" will debut on CBS Television Network Thursday, January 21st at 9pm and be available on mobile the following day.

Don't forget to follow MobiTV on Twitter for more about what's on and more.

NBA League Pass Mobile Lets You Watch FREE

Who says you can't get something for nothing?  Well, not MobiTV and the NBA.

All week long, you can enjoy the benefits of NBA League Pass Mobile by downloading NBA League Pass Mobile Lite (which is also free).  That's right!  By downloading the NBA League Pass Mobile Lite app (in iTunes or Android), you'll get the full version on NBA League Pass Mobile which includes LIVE games, replay, game alerts and more at no cost. 

Starting 1/18 - 1/24, you can watch 40+ Live games right on your mobile phone.  Check out the schedule to see what's on or see key match-ups below:

Monday, Jan 18th:

Bucks vs Rockets - 3pm ET

Nets vs. Clippers - 3:30pm ET

76ers vs. Timberwolves - 3:30pm ET

Spurs vs. Hornets - 3:30 pm ET

Bulls vs. Warriors - 4pm ET

Tuesday, Jan 19th:

Pacers vs. Heat - 7:30pm ET

Wednesday, Jan 20th

Kings vs. Hawks - 7:00pm ET

Mavs vs. Wizards - 7pm ET

Celtics vs. Pistons - 7:30pm ET

+9 other games

Friday, Jan 22nd:

10+ games

Saturday, Jan 23rd:

Thunder vs. Cavs - 7:30pm ET

+8 other games

Sunday, January 24th:

Mavs vs. Knicks - 1pm ET

Clippers vs. Wizards - 1pm ET

Lakers vs Raptors - 6pm ET

*please note that blackout restrictions apply.  See app notes for details but essentially this means that if you're a Lakers fan living in Los Angeles, you will not have access to Lakers games on your phone. Reason: the game will be on network TV in that area.  

For more info on how to watch NBA League Pass Mobile games, leave a comment or text "PASS" to 43888.