Tablet Television nears launch
April 8, 2014
Tablet Television, America’s first broadcast TV service for tablets, has revealed plans for its first beta market test in San Francisco and start of commercial operations in autumn 2014.
Tablet TV, a joint venture of Motive Television and Granite Broadcasting Corporation, puts television a touch away for portable devices with no subscription fee, cable, satellite or Internet required. Utilising existing ATSC distribution viewers in the US will be able to receive direct, free over-the-air television transmissions to their portable devices. This first broadcast TV service for tablets will enable viewers to watch and record live broadcast content in HD in every market in the US and, in association with local broadcasting partners, will be able to provide on-demand packages. Additional features such as fully-integrated social television will be available to Internet connected viewers.
Tablet TV will conduct its first full market beta test this summer in San Francisco. The beta test will be conducted in partnership with Granite’s KOFY-TV. Leading up to the San Francisco launch, Tablet TV expects to work with Frank N. Magid Associates to fine-tune its feature and service offering, as well as its consumer marketing efforts.
Leonard M Fertig, CEO of Motive commented, “We are extremely pleased with the successful testing of the commercial design, which utilizes Motive’s proven technology in use in markets around the globe, and the continued progress toward the launch of Tablet TV. Tablets are the fastest growing media device in US history and the ability to directly watch and record over-the-air HD television and receive VoD with no broadband connection creates a compelling proposition for anytime, anywhere, any device viewing.”