Following very low usage during its latest mobile TV trials, the BBC has launched a public consultation on what it should do next. The service, which was available free to U.K. subscribers of Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile and 3UK, attracted less than 600 viewers per day. Despite the lack of consumer interest, part of the BBC's new plan involves seeking permission to syndicate the broadcaster's TV channels and radio networks for delivery to mobile devices over a 3G data connection. No details have been made public as to whether this service will be provided free by the BBC with mobile operators collecting the data-download fees.
The idea of a free mobile TV service has received negative feedback from other TV and radio broadcasters which consider it to be an unfair leverage for the BBC, not helped by the BBC being funded by the U.K. tax payer.
According to reports, the BBC saw monthly content consumption of its BBC One, Three and News 24 TV channels reach a high of just 13 minutes per month during the 12 month trial which ended in April.
For more on this story:
- go to ITProPortal and 3G.co.uk
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