I watch a fair amount of videos -- live, streaming television, archived news clips, etc. -- as well as downloading music from cellular operators' music portals.
I don't know the audio and video marketing strategies of all cellular operators, but I do know many of them are too stingy about promoting these multimedia offerings (whether video clips or TV).
Sure, many operators offer previews of TV and made-for-cellular video programs. But it's difficult for potential subscribers to really get a feel for video programs from the very brief previews I've seen.
Free could generate sales
I suggest that every new cellular subscriber be allowed a certain number of songs and video clips (two each?) to download as well as a certain number of minutes (15 - 30?) to watch whatever TV programs they want, whether it's Fox News or C-SPAN or made-for-cellular shows like "Prison Break."
While most subscribers don't have any problem envisioning what Fox News or ABC News Live or NBC Mobile is all about, they are less sure (I'm convinced) about the content of shows that aren't also on TV.
If cellular operators want to increase mobile video and TV viewership (I.e., revenues), I believe they need to let subscribers listen and watch what's available. I might be convinced that downloading music isn't esoteric for the target audience and, therefore, no songs should be offered for free.
But I don't think I can be convinced that mobile TV doesn't need more of a marketing push -- and that offering some free video time isn't worth it.
Any comments?
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