Broadcasters have lost a quarter of their audience in the last decade. But the New York Times reports there is hope. 30 stations in major cities have installed "the necessary equipment at a cost of $75,000 to $150,000" to allow "access TV on a cellphone, on a laptop or in the car is a game changer for local broadcasters. It will provide a renaissance for over-the-air broadcast TV." The ATSC Mobile DTV Standard will allow local stations to charge more for commercials. "The mobile devices must catch a special signal, a slice of the broadcast frequency, and software processes it to display a clear picture on the go... The devices must be within about 60 miles of a broadcast tower for a picture as clear as the television at home."
"The Mobile DTV standard also allows for two-way communication. When viewing an ad, a viewer may push a button to see more information or have it sent by e-mail. The system can also be used for voting, polling and audience measurement. Mobile TV devices with GPS function could also feed location-specific ads."
Read more at the New York Times.
