14 DAY TRIAL // A&E Television Networks and MobiTV announced the launch of two mobile TV channels on MobiTV's platform. The A&E Mobile and The History Channel Mobile are currently live in the U.S. via participating wireless carriers. The mobile channels are not the same as the linear TV channels offered by A&E Television Networks, but include some popular series that are part of the original channels, such as Dogfights and Modern Marvels from The History Channel and Dog the Bounty Hunter and Criss Angel Mindfreak from A&E Network.
The launch of the two mobile TV channels is part of A&E Television Networks' strategy to expand its product offering on multiple platforms. Paul Jelinek, Senior Vice President, Digital Media, A&E Television Networks, explained: "The mobile platform is an increasingly important interactive screen that provides our consumers with access to our branded programming wherever and whenever they want it, and we are pleased to partner with MobiTV to offer A&E Mobile and The History Channel Mobile to viewers. These mobile channels enable us to offer a new service to our existing audience, and through cross promotion, to bring new viewers back to our linear channels."
The announcement marks the second wireless distribution agreement between A&E Television Networks and MobiTV. The first one dates back in April 2006, when the two companies partnered to offer a mobile version of The History Channel en espanol, as part of the line-up on MobiTV en Espanol - the first live mobile television service in the Spanish language offered in the U.S. Apart from the mobile channels, A&E Television Networks is also offering broadband channels via MobiTV Broadband Television for A&E, The History Channel, The Biography Channel, Crime & Investigation Network, Military History Channel and History International.
Commenting on the collaboration between the companies, Jeff Bartee, vice president of content and programming for MobiTV, declared: "MobiTV and A&E Television Networks continue to be proactive in bringing more compelling content into the mobile space. As the rise in consumer demand for mobile video continues, so do expectations for great content on mobile television services. Our relationship with A&E Television Networks is proof that we are listening to and answering the call of those consumers."