Virgin Mobile TV unveiled

Virgin Mobile will launch the UK's first broadcast mobile TV service on October 1st. Four channels will be available at launch, including BBC One, ITV1, Channel 4 and E4, with Virgin offering the service and a compatible Windows Mobile-based HTC handset free to customers on a contract worth £25 a month or more.

For pre-pay customers the phone is available for £199, with Virgin Mobile TV free for an initial three-month period followed by a charge of £5 a month.

Channel 4 will initially broadcast Channel 4 Short Cuts, its made-for-mobile TV channel, with a full Channel 4 simulcast to follow.

The service, which is provided by the DAB IP-based BT Movio mobile broadcast platform, will also offer 50 digital radio stations, ‘red-button’ interactivity and a seven-day electronic programme guide (EPG).

The Virgin Mobile TV launch will be supported from October 9th by a 'multi-million pound' advertising campaign, starring Pamela Anderson.

Alan Gow, managing director of Virgin Mobile, said: “Virgin Mobile finally delivers what others have been promising for so long - real TV broadcast to your mobile, delivering the programmes you want to watch, when you want to watch them, in a simple and easy-to-use experience.”

Emma Lloyd, managing director, BT Movio, said: “BT Movio looks forward to working with Virgin Mobile as our first customer. We fully anticipate that their well-known marketing flare will attract many UK consumers to the service.”

(c) Mobile Entertainment

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