Big Brother Tops Charts For Mobile Viewing

Mobile phone operator Orange has unveiled the first usage figures for its mobile-TV service, with reality show Big Brother topping the charts as the platform’s most watched show.

The mobile firm’s statistics show the programme’s live stream achieving a 30% share of the available audience for both its launch and finale screenings via its 3G based news, sport and entertainment service.

Second place via Orange’s TV service went to US news network CNN, with a share of 18% for its live broadcasts, while ITV’s news service ranked third with a share of 16%.

The Orange service went live earlier this year, with a total of eight channels and special launch coverage of the Glastonbury music festival. The company’s 3G customers were able to access exclusive live footage from this year’ Festival, while those not using a 3G handset were able to download clips (see Orange Tunes In Mobile TV For Festival Coverage).

The service is currently available only on the Nokia 6680 handset, with further support promised by future equipment. According to Orange those currently using the service watch for an average of 35 minutes each month.

Several new TV delivery platforms are expected to emerge this year, with mobile and web TV a hot topic for broadcasters. Yesterday saw ITN News join GreenGrass, a new technology firm promising to make web TV a viable experience for viewers with a pre-pay subscription model, while the BBC and Sky both working on their own services (see ITN Signs Up For GreenGrass Web TV).

The BBC’s take on the technology, dubbed MyBBCPlayer, was unveiled by director general Mark Thompson at the Edinburgh International TV Festival last month (see Thompson Announces On Demand Programming From BBC), while Sky’s plans were unveiled in June (see Sky To Provide Content Via Internet Downloads).

Orange: www.orange.co.uk