Cingular Wireless L.L.C. announced plans to launch a streaming video service, CingularVideo, in January, featuring two channels of content from premium cable channel HBO.
HBO Mobile and HBO Family Mobile plan to include clips and select episodes from HBO cartoon and sports programs, as well as ringtones and wallpaper. HBO also has agreed to develop exclusive content for Cingular as part of a partnership between the two companies.
CingularVideo also is expected to include sports, weather, news and entertainment clips along with HBO-specific content. Cingular did not specify when the service will begin.
The carrier said a pair of UMTS/HSDPA-enabled handsets, the LG Electronics Co. Ltd. CU320 and the Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. SGH-ZX10, should be available in January for consumers to take advantage of the service. Cingular spokesman Ritch Blasi said that one of the unique aspects of Cingular’s offering is that users will be able to access the video content with limited clicks. Blasi said that users would need a voice and data plan, with the carrier recommending that users sign up for its $20 per month unlimited data plan.
“Consumers are expecting more from their wireless service and we’ve now made it possible for consumers to customize their phone menu so they are never more than three clicks away from their favorite content,” said Ralph de la Vega, Cingular’s chief operating officer.
Cingular launched its UMTS/HSDPA network and business-focused service-BroadbandConnect-last week in 16 markets.
Although video from HBO won’t be available until January, customers were able to download HBO content from Cingular as of last Friday. According to Cingular, this includes theme ringtones from “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City,” “Deadwood,” and “Six Feet Under;” graphics from episodes of those shows plus “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Entourage” and “Rome;” and trivia games focused on “The Sopranos” and “Sex and the City.”
The move puts Cingular smack in the middle of the small-screen content wars. Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp. have made dueling announcements in recent weeks over the video content available through their services. Verizon Wireless recently added CBS shows to its Vcast lineup, which already includes ABC and NBC content. Sprint Nextel reported plans to broadcast a Jon Bon Jovi concert live to phones on its Sprint Power Vision network and has made a limited number of full-length movies available for viewing on handsets. Not to be outdone, Apple Computer Inc. recently announced that users of its new video iPod can download television shows from NBC, the Sci Fi Channel, USA Network and Disney for $2 per episode.
While Cingular is the only U.S. carrier set to offer HBO-derived content, U.K.-based Vodafone Group plc reported earlier this month that it will include HBO offerings in its Mobile TV selections in Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and the United Kingdom. Vodafone owns a 45-percent stake in Verizon Wireless. RCR
