Vcast Mobile TV to add temporary X Games channel

MediaFLO USA Inc. and Verizon Wireless have teamed up with ESPN to launch a temporary channel on MediaFLO’s mobile broadcast TV service to give viewers live action from this summer’s X Games beginning Aug. 2. The offering will be available through Verizon Wireless’ Vcast Mobile TV service, which piggybacks on MediaFLO’s broadcast network.
The new channel, EXPN, will be available for the duration of X Games 13. The new channel will provide live coverage of the competition eight hours per day from Aug. 2-5, thereby temporarily increasing MediaFLO’s total channel lineup to nine for the duration of the coverage. Highlights of previous years’ X Games are already being shown on the dedicated channel and will continue through Aug. 1. Following the conclusion of the event, EXPN will replay “Best of the X Games” and the 13th annual competition Aug. 6-7. MediaFLO programming will return to the eight channel lineup it currently offers following the coverage.
“X Games fans want to see the action as it happens. By teaming with MediaFLO USA to offer this channel through Verizon Wireless, ESPN is reaffirming our commitment to our fans by showing all the extreme action while expanding our multi-platform approach,” said John Zehr, senior VP of digital media production at ESPN. “Through this dedicated channel, X fans will see Travis Pastrana’s practice runs or Shaun White grab big air during the skateboard finals even if they aren’t near a big-screen TV.”
Dan Novak, senior VP of programming and advertising at MediaFLO, said this is a mobile TV first that will change the way people watch sports. “With insider access to this flagship event, on-the-go sports fans can be a part of the action wherever they happen to be. We’re thrilled to be working with ESPN to achieve yet another mobile entertainment milestone-exclusive, 24/7 mobile coverage of a global sporting event.”