CONTACTS
Robert C. Kenny
(202) 412-0976
@RKennyTVfreedom
Luc Tomasino
(918) 605-3236
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 27, 2015
TABLETTV JOINS TVFREEDOM.ORG AS NEW PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPS WITH U.S. BROADCASTERS TO DELIVER FREE TV TO MOBILE TABLET USERS
TabletTV offers competitive disruptive service, leveraging U.S. TV broadcasters’ reliable network and spectral efficiencies to deliver free local broadcast TV to
America’s mobile tablet users
Washington, D.C. – TabletTV, a joint venture by Motive Television plc and Granite Broadcasting Corporation has joined TVfreedom.org as its partnership expands with U.S. TV broadcasters to deliver free, local and live broadcast TV to wireless consumers on mobile tablets across America. TabletTV, which first launched in San Francisco last month, leverages broadcasters’ reliable network and spectral efficiencies and offers wireless consumers throughout the U.S. dozens of local broadcast channels and access to major network programming without any subscription fees or monthly charges.
TabletTV is the 29th organization to join TVfreedom.org, and will work with TVfreedom coalition members to help push for legislation and policies that will enable local broadcast TV stations to flourish in the 21st Century, while protecting U.S. consumers’ access to free and local broadcast TV programming on multiple digital platforms.
“TabletTV is pleased to partner with TVfreedom.org to advocate for the interest of consumers and local broadcast TV stations across America,” said Luc Tomasino, Chief Marketing Officer, TabletTV. “We believe that every wireless consumer in America has a right to watch the most popular network and local TV programming – live sports, news, entertainment – available on broadcast television when they want, where they want with no monthly bill. It’s our mission to make it simple for U.S. consumers to enjoy access to dozens of free, local broadcast channels via their tablets with no monthly subscriptions or contracts.”
With pay-TV cord-cutting increasing and niche multicast broadcast networks expanding, a growing number of U.S. households are turning to free over-the-air broadcast TV on multiple digital platforms to access the most popular general entertainment and live sports events, local news and programming, severe weather updates, and emergency alerts and warnings.
“New competitive entrants like TabletTV will help lead an evolution in new broadcast-centric video services that will dramatically alter the face of the U.S. communications ecosystem, and in particular, as it relates to the rapid and cost-efficient delivery of video content to the U.S. consumer over a variety of next-generation wireless platforms,” said Robert C. Kenny, Director of Public Affairs, TVfreedom.org.
“We’re happy to partner with TabletTV to support the interest of America’s consumers and local broadcast TV stations as Washington’s decision-makers accelerate efforts to modernize U.S. video laws, rules and policies,” Kenny said.
Consumers who are interested in using TabletTV may – for a one-time set up fee of $89.95 – purchase and receive the TabletTV mobile application that downloads to their tablet and a T-Pod antenna. The T-Pod communicates directly with the tablet without needing the Internet by pairing the tablet with a private Wi-Fi emitted by the T-Pod. It scans for local broadcast channels and delivers as many as 120 local broadcast channels to the viewers’ tablet. The TabletTV app also provides the viewer with a full listing of available broadcast TV channels with daily programming schedules. Operating in both standard and high definition, TabletTV works efficiently in the home, as well as in outdoor areas, such as parks, college campuses or stadiums with the use of the portable T-Pod antenna. In situations where the T-Pod has access to a home or shared Wi-Fi network, simultaneous TabletTV and Internet access (and thus social media capabilities) are enabled.
Once set up, there are no subscription charges or recurring fees to watch and record free and local broadcast TV programming. The T-Pod is essentially a digital TV antenna (ATSC tuner) and DVR, bundled together into one palm-sized, rechargeable device. This first broadcast TV service for tablets will enable viewers to watch and record live broadcast content in every market in the U.S. and, in association with local broadcasting partners.
For more information please visit TabletTV’s website here.
Visit TVfreedom.org for the latest news on the U.S. video marketplace and follow us on Twitter, @TVFreedomOrg.
* * * *
About Us
TVfreedom.org, is a coalition of local broadcasters, community advocates, network television affiliate associations, multicast networks, manufacturers and other independent broadcaster-related organizations committed to helping protect consumer interests, ensure emergency and weather related programming access, promote the value of broadcast-TV programming, and preserve a fair and free video marketplace.
Tablet TV LLC, a joint venture of Motive Television plc and Granite Broadcasting Corporation, truly puts television a touch away for portable devices with no subscription fee, cable, satellite or Internet required. Utilizing existing ATSC distribution viewers will be able to receive direct, free over-the-air television transmissions to their portable devices.
Motive Television plc is the developer of innovative, patented software solutions for the television industry that enables its clients to offer on-demand content over any network to any device. The company has the knowhow and ability to customize its software to work with existing networks, saving clients substantial expenditures. Its customers are broadcasters, satellite platforms, cable operators, and telecoms. Motive Television also recently launched TabletTV in the United Kingdom.
Granite Broadcasting Corporation is a market-leading owner of local media properties in the U.S. The company’s operations include broadcast TV stations, local cable TV channels, and local online and mobile media properties. Television network partners include Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC, The CW and My Network TV. Granite’s local media operations are characterized by innovative, best of breed management and market leading franchises.