According to the ARC Group, mobile services – including text messaging – will be worth $126 billion by 2008, and will account for more than 20% of operator revenues. Additionally, market research firm IDC, estimates 44 billion text messages will be sent in 2007 – a 300% increase from 2005.
“As cell phones become the predominant entertainment tool, it’s a natural step for text messaging to be broadcast on television,” explained Blue Frog Mobile CEO Ron Erickson. “It’s the perfect marriage of old school and new school communications – and the result is a true interactive television experience for the viewer and new revenue opportunities for the broadcaster.” txtv provides an opportunity for a more engaging television viewing experience and increased audience share. In addition to chatting on the television screen with text messaging, a wide variety of mobile media and entertainment content and services can be made available to the consumer. All txtv fees appear directly on the wireless customers’ monthly mobile bill. “Text Messaging is a global phenomenon and Text Messaging on television has exploded in Asia, Europe and other parts of the world,” said Blue Frog Mobile President, Ian Eisenberg. “We are proud to lead ‘THE TEXT GENERATION OF TV™’ by bringing txtv to the United States and offering its unique content applications to broadcasters and viewers alike.” “Our station group is always looking for new ways to generate value-added income beyond our programming,” said Dan McNeal, Operations Manager at IMC (Radio One’s Indy’s Music Channel TV). “txtv not only provides us with additional revenue; it’s also entertaining for our audience. The increased revenue generated by txtv is a much needed boost to the bottom line in today’s market where we see declines in traditional revenue streams.”
