3 Signs Mobile TV Partnership With Slingbox Company
3G mobile customers will from December be able to access their home television channels via their mobile phone handsets, after the company agreed a partnership with electronics firm Sling Media Inc.
The SlingPlayer Mobile delivers the home TV experience on mobile handsets using standard 3G network connections. Any programme that can be watched at home will be viewable through a Slingbox (see Slingbox Swings Into Action) and compatible SlingPlayer Mobile software pre-installed on two new handsets, the Nokia N73 and the Sony Ericsson W950i including support for terrestrial TV, Freeview, cable, and satellite TV.
In addition SlingPlayer Mobile lets customers control their TV recorder at home to watch recorded shows, pause and rewind live TV or even queue a recording when away from home using the handset.
The combined mobile TV experience is driven by Sling Media’s product, the Slingbox. The Slingbox redirects a single live TV stream from a standard cable connection, cable box, satellite receiver, or PVR to the viewer’s PC -located anywhere in the home or anywhere in the world – or 3G handset.
The announcement was made today as part of Hutchison Whampoa’s global launch of the X-Series from 3, which unveils the true power of the internet on mobile broadband.
This is the first time that Sling Media has partnered with a major mobile operator and signifies the increasing consumer focus on mobile TV services that deliver a personalised one-to-one experience.
The SlingPlayer Mobile service will be exclusive to 3 customers who purchase both an X-Series handset and a Slingbox. The X-Series from 3 will be available in the UK from 1 December 2006 and in 3’s other markets around the world in early 2007.
“Working together with 3 has enabled us to push the boundaries of TV viewing further than ever before,” said Blake Krikorian, co-founder and CEO of Sling Media.
“3 understands the power of mobile broadband to deliver compelling, value add applications and services like a truly personalised mobile TV experience and we are thrilled to be working with them.
“The availability of SlingPlayer Mobile for 3 customers is a major breakthrough in mobile TV viewing. Customers can now view all the programmes they love to watch at home whilst on the move via their mobile phone.”
Christian Salbaing, managing director, European Telecommunications at 3 Group, added: “Our partnership with Sling Media is a natural next step for the 3 Group. We have always been at the cutting edge of new mobile services and with the mobile broadband capabilities of 3G networks worldwide, we’re now able to bring the best of the internet and broadband experience, in full mobility to our customers.”
3: www.three.co.uk Slingbox: www.slingmedia.com