Gemstar-TV Guide International signed a patent-licensing agreement with Qualcomm’s MediaFLO USA wireless-TV subsidiary covering interactive program guides -- TV Guide's first deal for mobile-TV guides in the United States.
The multiyear agreement includes patent-license rights related to IPGs for MediaFLO USA's mobile entertainment service. Financial terms and other details of the agreement were not disclosed.
MediaFLO USA has inked deals with Verizon Wireless and AT&T -- the two largest mobile-phone operators in the U.S. – to offer live mobile TV.
Currently MediaFLO USA’s offering comprises eight channels, including ESPN Mobile TV, MTV Networks’ Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon; and channels from NBC, CBS and Fox.
In December 2006 Gemstar-TV Guide announced that it was developing mobile IPGs with Roundbox, a Florham Park, N.J., startup that provides software to broadcast data to mobile phones.
