Fixed Mobile Convergence

MobiTV (News - Alert) announced the availability of a new technology that will allow download of mobile media content for local playback on the BlackBerry Torch smartphone from AT&T (News - Alert).

Leveraging the Digital Rights Management or DRM technology MobiTV will be able to offer downloadable content along with live TV and video-on-demand on the new smartphone.

MobiTV has been working with content partners for creating a DRM solution that is suitable for different types of devices. Users will be able to download content to their mobile devices easily and also watch video offline with strong DRM protection, said company sources.

In a release Kay Johansson (News - Alert), CTO, MobiTV, Inc. said, “The DRM component of our technology platform is one of the elements that make this offline playback solution possible.”

“Additional components, such as our Optimized Delivery Server which delivers high quality media while reducing network usage, further enhance the scalability and potential of our offering. Continued technology developments like these are critical for MobiTV to maintain our leadership position in multiplatform media delivery,” Johansson added.

MobiTV service on the BlackBerry Torch promises enhanced discoverability of new content which is expected to offer a more personalized viewing experience. It also offers offline playback, live TV and a large VOD library.

Along with the ability to create quick links to favorite content and channels, MobiTV subscribers will benefit further from the increased control over when and how they consume mobile media. AT&T subscribers can download MobiTV for the BlackBerry Torch, exclusive to AT&T customers, on BlackBerry App World, confirmed company sources.

MobiTV, Inc. provides technology solutions that deliver media over wireless and broadband networks. The company’s flexible platform powers an end-to-end managed service to enable content ingestion, encoding and optimized delivery of media for major mobile operators including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon (News - Alert). It also serves partners like CBS, ESPN, MTV Networks, NBC and Warner Music.

The company’s product called MobiTV offers a feature-rich, personalized and intuitive mobile experience. MobiTV products enrich user experiences in live television, premium and primetime programming and video-on-demand. It also provides digital and satellite music services across hundreds of mobile handsets on all major device platforms including RIM, BREW, Java, Android (News - Alert), iPhone, WebOS, WinMo and Palm among others.