AFI BLOG: Media and Technology

The Hollywood Reporter

Sony Pictures Television is looking to launch the first movie network on mobile phones in the U.S.

The studio has signed a deal with AT&T and MediaFLO USA to launch the linear channel as one of two exclusive channels coming to the newly announced AT&T Mobile TV with FLO service in May.

The channel, to be known as PIX, will be stocked with such titles as “Ghostbusters,” “Philadelphia” and “Stand by Me” from Sony labels including Columbia, TriStar, Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics.

Mobile has been viewed mostly as a marketing platform for theatricals in the U.S. With the domestic mobile video category for even shortform clips lagging behind markets in Europe and Asia, Sony is looking to entice viewers with more diverse content offerings.

“What you see a lot on the carrier decks is promotional content that people can snack a little on,” said Eric Berger, vp mobile entertainment at SPT. “There’s nothing currently there as deeply entertaining as these movies.”

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