Tech Shout!

Verizon Wireless and MediaFLO USA have joined hands with ESPN to introduce a temporary channel on MediaFLO’s mobile broadcast TV service that will give audiences live action from summer 2007’s X Games that kick-off on August 2nd. The new service will be available through Verizon Wireless’ V Cast Mobile TV service, which is associated with MediaFLO’s broadcast network.

The new channel dubbed ‘EXPN’ will be available during the X Games 13 period. The channel will offer live coverage of the competition, for eight hours each day, from August 2-5, thus escalating MediaFLO’s total channel lineup to nine for the duration of the coverage. However this is just a temporary change. At present highlights of previous years’ X Games are on air on the dedicated channel and they will go on through August 1st. Once the curtain falls for the event, EXPN will replay “Best of the X Games” and the 13th annual competition Aug. 6-7. MediaFLO programming will return to the eight channel lineup it currently offers following the coverage.

John Zehr, senior VP of digital media production at ESPN said, “X Games fans want to see the action as it happens. By teaming with MediaFLO USA to offer this channel through Verizon Wireless, ESPN is reaffirming our commitment to our fans by showing all the extreme action while expanding our multi-platform approach.” Zehr added, “Through this dedicated channel, X fans will see Travis Pastrana’s practice runs or Shaun White grab big air during the skateboard finals even if they aren’t near a big-screen TV.”

According to Dan Novak, senior VP of programming and advertising at MediaFLO, this is essentially the pioneering mobile TV that will redefine the way people watch sports. “With insider access to this flagship event, on-the-go sports fans can be a part of the action wherever they happen to be. We’re thrilled to be working with ESPN to achieve yet another mobile entertainment milestone-exclusive, 24/7 mobile coverage of a global sporting event.”

The FLO TVservice is also available through other channels such as CBS Mobile, Comedy Central, FOX Mobile, MTV: Music Television, NBC 2Go, NBC News2Go and Nickelodeon.