By Chris Marlowe
Fox News Channel announced a deal with Sprint on Tuesday that will let audiences view the network live on mobile phones from anywhere in the U.S.
This is is the first time FNC has made its content available in the wireless medium. It also is a first for Sprint, because the new Fox News Channel Live is the first live news programing on the Sprint network.
"These are great firsts for us," FNC director of digital media Jeremy Steinberg said. "This deal positions Fox News Channel to become a significant player in the wireless industry and is a great opportunity to expand the brand and reach our loyal audience outside their homes."
The three top-rated shows in cable news -- "The O'Reilly Factor," "On the Record With Greta Van Susteren" and "Hannity and Colmes" -- can be viewed via mobile at the same time they're shown on television screens, as can all other FNC programing, complete with interstitials and advertising.
The quality of FNC Live is equivalent to 15 frames per second, about half as good as the in-home version of FNC.
All Sprint TV subscribers can watch FNC Live at no additional cost. Sprint TV is available to those using Sprint PCS Vision Multimedia Phones on the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network for $9.99 per month in addition to their existing Sprint PCS Vision plan.
Sprint, working with Idetic, pioneered live television to the U.S. mobile consumer sector in 2003. Sprint TV, which launched in August, offers 17 channels of video content on demand.
Owned by News Corp., FNC is available in more than 85 million homes.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter Copyright 2005 Reuters Limited.
NOTE: For more telecom/internet/networking/computer news from the daily media, check out our feature 'Telecom Digest Extra' each day at