Arguably, 3D HD was the "star" of CES 2010 and is the primary focus of the television business starting now. And rightfully so, as 3D will be a welcome incrementally profitable business as HD approaches market maturity. However, the same cannot be said for broadcasters as they gather in Las Vegas this month for NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Convention 2010. To OTA broadcasters, whose very lifeblood – their spectrum – is under assault, the issue is survival. And that survival may very well depend on their successful embrace of the new ATSC Mobile/Handheld (M/H) standard. So, in spite of its glitter, 3D may very well take a second seat to M/H at NAB 2010.
To some extent M/H is a solution waiting for a problem. It is not clear there is any driving conventional need for linear mobile television and/or non-internet data services, at least in the US, or any that would appear to be economically viable. However, here are some factors, both commercial and technical, that could allow broadcasters to successfully leverage their spectrum to turn M/H into a win-win proposition or to secure survival itself...
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To some extent M/H is a solution waiting for a problem. It is not clear there is any driving conventional need for linear mobile television and/or non-internet data services, at least in the US, or any that would appear to be economically viable. However, here are some factors, both commercial and technical, that could allow broadcasters to successfully leverage their spectrum to turn M/H into a win-win proposition or to secure survival itself...
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