Cable Networks Go Mobile for Holidays

Alan Breznick, Cable/Video Practice Leader, Light Reading

December 20, 2005

1 Min Read
Cable Networks Go Mobile for Holidays

Not waiting for cable operators to act, the big cable networks are invading the wireless phone space in a big way. In the most recent move late last week, MTV Networks unveiled a deal to provide music and video content to Amp'd Mobile Inc. for its forthcoming mobile-phone service, as well as take an undisclosed stake in the startup firm. Amp'd plans to market video clips, ring tones, screen savers and wallpapers from such MTV Networks channels as MTV, Comedy Central and Spike TV. The MTV deal follows closely on the heels of a mobile phone pact between HBO and Cingular Wireless. Under that agreement, also announced late last week, HBO will supply video clips from its series, specials and sports programming for the phone company's new "Cingular Video" service, which is slated to debut early next year. In addition, ESPN inked agreements with six major sponsors late last week for Mobile ESPN, the network's new national wireless phone service. The six advertisers are Cisco Systems, Coors, General Motors, Hilton, Nike and Visa. ESPN plans to launch the service with Sanyo phones in retail stores in early February.

About the Author(s)

Alan Breznick

Cable/Video Practice Leader, Light Reading

Alan Breznick is a business editor and research analyst who has tracked the cable, broadband and video markets like an over-bred bloodhound for more than 20 years.

As a senior analyst at Light Reading's research arm, Heavy Reading, for six years, Alan authored numerous reports, columns, white papers and case studies, moderated dozens of webinars, and organized and hosted more than 15 -- count 'em --regional conferences on cable, broadband and IPTV technology topics. And all this while maintaining a summer job as an ostrich wrangler.

Before that, he was the founding editor of Light Reading Cable, transforming a monthly newsletter into a daily website. Prior to joining Light Reading, Alan was a broadband analyst for Kinetic Strategies and a contributing analyst for One Touch Intelligence.

He is based in the Toronto area, though is New York born and bred. Just ask, and he will take you on a power-walking tour of Manhattan, pointing out the tourist hotspots and the places that make up his personal timeline: The bench where he smoked his first pipe; the alley where he won his first fist fight. That kind of thing.

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