Cingular unveils CingularVideo with HBO shows
NEW YORK-Cingular Wireless L.L.C. announced today that it will launch a streaming video service, CingularVideo, in January, and that the service will feature 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.
CingularVideo also is expected to include sports, weather, news and entertainment clips along with HBO-specific content.
Two UMTS/HSDPA-enabled handsets, the LG Electronics Co. Ltd. CU320 and the Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. SGH-ZX10, will 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 quickly and easily access the video content with limited clicks, and not have to browse or search for it. 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 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, chief operating officer of Cingular Wireless.
Cingular launched its UMTS/HSDPA network and business-focused service, BroadbandConnect, last week in 16 markets.
Although video content won’t be available until January, customers will be able to download HBO content from Cingular starting 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. 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 and USA Network for $2 per episode.
