Vodafone crosses to live news broadcast

Wednesday, 19 April 2006, 10:26 am
Press Release: Vodafone

Media release
Wednesday 19 April, 2006.

Vodafone crosses to live news broadcast

Vodafone 3G customers can now watch a live streamed television news bulletin on their 3G mobile just like one they’d see on the box at home.

In a New Zealand first announced today, Vodafone in partnership with Prime News will deliver 3G customers “Prime News: First at 5.30” daily as part of the Sky News streamed channel. Prime is owned by Sky in New Zealand.

Tim Nichols, Head of Vodafone live! says this is a major milestone for Vodafone live! Mobile TV and marks the first evolution of the service since launch eight months ago.

“For the first time we can now offer a whole show to watch on your mobile at the same time it screens on the TV network. The fact that it’s a news show is particularly relevant in today’s fast paced world as many of us need to keep up to date but don’t often make it home for the news,” says Tim.

Vodafone has been closely monitoring viewing trends since launching 3G to deliver a service tailored to customer habits. Since launch, figures show the Sky News made-for-mobile channel is the most popular amongst customers, with viewing times spiking around lunchtime, the early evening and late at night.

“As a result of these trends Vodafone has partnered with Prime to deliver customers a streamed bulletin service during a time when they demand news most – the early evening,” says Tim.

“Vodafone live! Mobile TV with 3G means you can get news in a way that suits your lifestyle. Whether you’re waiting on the bus in traffic or working late, the news is right at your fingertips.”

To access the live bulletin, Vodafone customers need a 3G handset and to be in a 3G coverage area. At 5.30pm the Sky News streamed channel will automatically broadcast Prime’s “First at 5.30” show until 6pm.

Customers can subscribe to watch Vodafone live! Mobile TV channels for a flat fee of $2.99 per week per channel for unlimited access. Alternatively, it costs 99 cents for a one-off continuous access session that lasts 15 minutes.

ENDS

Background

What can I watch on Vodafone live! Mobile TV?

Streamed made-for-mobile channels

- Only on Vodafone can you watch specially made-for-mobile streamed channels, including Sky News, TV3 Highlights, C4 Mobile, bro’Town, Extreme Sport. The selected channel will start from wherever it’s running on the loop.

Clips, Mobisodes & Sky Sport Mobile

- Show highlights with a selection of two minute video clips from bro’Town, South Park, Sport 365, Pulp Sport and Looney Tunes, or one minute Doodlebug cartoons from Bromhead.

- Only on Vodafone can you watch mobisodes - exclusively made-for-mobile drama series like “Love & Hate” with new instalments available to download weekly.

- Vodafone and Sky NZ partner to bring Sky Sport Mobile. Launched in February 2006, Sky Sport Mobile brings highlights of games you may have missed as soon as 40 minutes after the match.

© Scoop Media