LAS VEGAS-The Fox TV network is planning a major new wireless effort centered on one of television’s most well-known families-the Simpsons.
Homer, Marge and the rest of the cast of the hit animated series will soon make the jump to wireless, said Jim Beddows, Fox’s vice president of wireless entertainment. The company plans to sell a variety of “Simpsons”-themed wireless services, including ring tones, wallpapers and games, starting in the fourth quarter.
The effort highlights the expanding nature of the wireless data market. As wireless services and technologies evolve, Hollywood companies and other content providers have begun entering the wireless market in greater numbers.
Fox worked with “Simpsons” writers and animators to create specialized content for its wireless offerings, Beddows said. The “Simpsons” wireless services will first be launched in Asian and European markets and are scheduled to be available in the United States sometime next year. The content will be organized around character locales, like Moe’s Bar, and will be updated monthly.
Beddows said “The Simpsons”-which this year marked its 15th season-is broadcast throughout the world, and Fox counts 300 million worldwide viewers. Beddows declined to give pricing and distribution details for the U.S. market.
