While it is easily assumed that the majority of consumption of mobile video is at the hands of American teens, Nielsen reports that more than half – or 55 percent – of the mobile video audience is actually adults between the ages of 25 and 49.

This finding was recently reported by the New York Times. The report also highlighted that while mobile video viewing on a smartphone continues to be a niche activity in comparison with the total audience size, its growth proves the future may be very different. Year-over-year growth is at 51.2 percent.

The Three Screen report from Nielsen tracks the TV-viewing habits of individuals over time and how they are currently consuming TV and video in general. Mobile video consumption is also tracked and some interesting findings have emerged:

--20.3 million people who watch mobile video in the U.S. spend three hours and 37 minutes on average each month watching mobile video;

--The group watching mobile video for the longest time with their smartphones are those aged 12-17 as they watch an average of seven hours and 13 minutes;

--The largest mobile video audience is the group aged 25-34;

--The mobile video audience contains more males (55 percent) than females (45 percent).

Nielsen has identified trends to watch as the penetration of smartphones continues, as well as mobile Internet access on devices such as Apple’s (News - Alert) iPad. To embrace this trend, startups and services are hoping to cash in on the growing opportunities, including:

--Video search engine blinkx launched a mobile service that works on any phone that can play MP4 files, including iPhone, Google's (News - Alert) Nexus One, HTC Desire and Magic and Blackberry Bold 9700 devices;

--Fox Mobile launched a Hulu-like service called Bitbop for BlackBerry phones to deliver content from News Corp (News - Alert), NBC Universal, The Food Network, A&E, CBS, TLC, USA and MTV;

--V CAST Video on Demand for Android was launched by Verizon (News - Alert) for smartphones like the Droid, Droid Eris, Devour, Droid Incredible and Ally;

--Oonair is a new mobile video company receiving funding to deliver live-video streaming service; Dilithium Networks (News - Alert) raised $1.5 million; Transpera raised $9 million for mobile video ad network;

--Hulu mobile app rumors continue to abound, suggesting the service may launch into mobile form.

Mobile video has arrived with a vengeance and the opportunities for expansion, new services, improved infrastructure and high revenue growth abound throughout the global industry. Those who can best appeal to the masses will enjoy the most success, while those who anticipate trends will be ready to capitalize on new ventures.