Verizon Trots Out V Cast Mobile TV

Verizon is back on the offensive in the suddenly hot mobile TV market, talking up its V Cast Mobile TV, which it launched in 20 markets west of the Appalachians.

Customers who get this service will be able to watch live TV 24/7 on eight channels: CBS Mobile, Comedy Central, ESPN, Fox Mobile, MTV, NBC 2Go, NBC News 2Go, and Nickelodeon. The monthly charge will be between US$15 and US$25, depending on extras.

This programming will be just what you’d get if you were watching a real TV; the only difference will be that you’re watching it on your mobile, presumably because you’re nowhere near a TV that’s showing what you want to watch. Verizon said that the channels will run on the same time schedule as traditional broadcasts, with just a few exceptions.

You’ll need a new handset, of course. Verizon has plenty of them. The first one is already here, thanks to Samsung, and it comes with a no-contract price tag of US$200. Verizon will knock US$50 off that if you sign a contract. More handsets will follow.