ATLANTA—SmartVideo Technologies Inc. is powering a new, ad-supported mobile news service from MSNBC.com.
The wireless TV provider said the free service will support ad insertion, dynamic ad serving and pre- and post-roll ads. A beta version of the downloadable application is available at gomobile.msnbc.com; the service is slated for official launch in November.
Mobile video providers are increasingly looking to advertising revenues to support next-generation offerings. Studies indicate that while consumers are interested in watching television on their handsets, many balk at paying $15 per month or more for such services.
Toyota Motors North America has spent advertising dollars on two separate wireless video services, and Reuters has teamed with Third Screen Media on an ad-supported mobile news site.
“MSNBC.com is increasingly looking at ways to offer its high-quality video content to mobile users for free,” Kyoo Kim, president of sales for the Web site, said. “As we did with online video streaming, we are excited to pave the way for ad-supported mobile video advertising as we have seen much interest from our conversations with marketers across the country.”
