The U.S. mobile television industry is still working to gain traction, with devices scarce and service limited. However, this week’s trade show in Las Vegas for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) shows that the technology is making some hard-earned gains.
The Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC), the main proponent of mobile broadcast television in the United States, announced that 76 television stations in 32 markets are now doing mobile television broadcasts.
By next year at this time, the OMVC expects mobile TV service will reach 77 million people, or two-thirds of all American television viewers.
Several prototype mobile television devices are also on display at the show, including an Android-based LG model with a glasses-free 3D screen and integration with Twitter.
The OMVC is co-hosting the Mobile DTV Pavilion at the show together with the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC). Both major mobile television consortiums, the Mobile500 Alliance and Mobile Content Venture, also have a presence at the pavilion.
The NAB’s trade show begins today and runs through Thursday, April 14.