By Guest Blogger, Anne Schelle, Executive Director of the Open Mobile Video Coalition

The first viewers in the country to carry live, local TV broadcasts along wherever they go are beginning to report back on what they like most about having digital television as a mobile option, now that nine TV broadcasters in and around our Nation’s capital have started sending mobile digital TV signals over-the-air. Hundreds of Washington-area viewers are watching TV wherever they go, on specially modified Samsung mobile phones and Dell netbooks that are part of a Consumer Showcase of the new technology.

Hundreds of Sprint phone customers responded to our appeal for people who would be willing to give up their mobile phone for four months and trade it in for a similar model that could pick up TV programs. Already, we’re hearing from mothers who are keeping their kids busy with PBS Kids shows and from commuters who enjoy watching local news and weather while riding the train.

Mobile TV from local broadcasters virtually disappeared with the transition to digital TV broadcasting last year, but this new service promises to bring back mobile television and make it an even more powerful medium. Tiny receiving chips from LG and Samsung make it all possible.  And because the service is digital, viewers can find out what’s on TV with a simple perusal of the electronic service guide. The system will even be used this summer to send anti-drunk driving messages to on-the-go viewers over the busy 4^th of July holiday.

The Washington Consumer Showcase, run by the Open Mobile Video Coalition of TV broadcasters, is only the first step in offering mobile digital TV across the country.  So far, some 45 stations are on-the-air with mobile local TV.  Many more have the technology on their drawing boards, and CEA offers a convenient “one-stop shop” for everyone to follow the progress with lists of new devices and stations that carry the service at DigitalTips.org.

It won’t be long before you’ll start to find mobile DTV products at stores everywhere, including USB receivers for computers, DVD players with built-in mobile DTV capability, and even pocket-sized receivers that can beam mobile DTV to an iPad or BlackBerry that has Wi-Fi.

Mobile digital TV is coming, and you never have to miss a minute of your favorite programs!