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TV Episode Service Coming to BlackBerry?

by Kevin Michaluk on 26 Mar 2009 11:06 AM
31
 

BlackBerry TV On the Way?!

Wowza. How's this for a BlackBerry rumor not starting in the typical realm of BlackBerry blogs??

NewTeeVee.com claims to have heard from several sources that RIM will soon be unveiling a full-episode television service for BlackBerry, potentially as early as next week at CTIA. Rumored details thus far for the BlackBerry TV service suggest:

  • It will be an unlimited monthly subscription service for a fee
  • Once a user orders a program, the content will be downloaded in the background over Wi-Fi
  • Multiple broadcast and cable networks have licensed content for the service

While I would be extremely surprised to see something like to go live next week (why would RIM want to detract from the launch of App World which is expected to be fully unveiled at CTIA?!) I do hope RIM is working on a service or partnership surrounding this type of concept and that it does launch sooner rather than later. Models like the Bold, Curve 8900 and Storm have such beautiful displays which the current average owner likely doesn't take full advantage of. Having a dead easy way to get rich tv/video content on their devices will allow many owners to get that much more out of their BlackBerry experience. Better start stocking up on extra batteries! :-)

[ NewTeeVee via Business Insider ]

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31 Comments

Posted by rdy78 Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

wow this would be nice and yes would have to hae extra battery but why oh why doesn't verizon have wifi !doh plus i would rather have it on say the new 9630 cause i don't think i would want to watch video on my 8130 pearl which is way to small but my time to upgrade will be august along the days of my bday yay and i will be getting that 9630 hopefully it has a good name

 
 
Posted by CSSVT Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

Just another justification for them NOT having WiFi IMO.

Storm should have VCastTV once VCast comes (though who the hell knows when THAT could be) which means more money to VZW.

 
 
Posted by AnonymousOh Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

You are so right! I am going to go to Sprint and use their wi-fi Blackberrys, or maybe US Cellular and use their wi-fi Blackberrys. How come every other carrier on the face of the planet has wi-fi Blackberry's but Verizon Wireless does not?!?! I'm calling Sprint now!

 
 
Posted by RyanCF Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

Its not just Verizon. No CDMA BlackBerry has WiFi, that includes Sprint and US Cellular. To get a WiFi BlackBerry your gonna have to go with AT&T or TMobile.

 
 
Posted by bjsgarda Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

I have Sling Player in my BB no monthly fees and get to watch my 500 cable channels.

 
 
Posted by Kevin Michaluk Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

True That. If you have Sling, you're good to go. I'd be curious to know the % of BlackBerry owners who also own a Sling Box.

 
 
Posted by Jejoro Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

Telus already has this or at least something like this... It wasn't that great & wasn't worth the flat rate fee but if RIMs content is better then Telus I would definatly give a free trial a look at... If its got more sitcoms & Dramas then News I'm in for sure!!!

 
 
Posted by snoozininsomniac Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

lol@marketing batteries off rumors!

but this would be awesome! <3 tv

 
 
Posted by pcamp5 Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

Downloaded in the background over WI-FI, uh not if you are using a Storm.

 
 
Posted by DwayneReed Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

Doesn't AT&T already have free cellular video with a data plan or something like that? I know i be watching Heroes and Chapelle Show on my Bold already so I dunno.

 
 
Posted by jtwebfusion Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

If I wanted to pay, I would just subscribe to MobiTV... I just want to watch the web versions of the shows I missed and Cellular Video sucks. Guess I'll have to stick to youtube.

 
 
Posted by jay0heavenly Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

Why pay for a monthly subscription for shows that you probably won't even watch. Just hook up your slingbox to your DVR and then your good to go. You can watch LIVE TV, recorded stuff from your DVR or whatever.

I still don't understand why anyone would do anything else.

 
 
Posted by PINGZINGNY Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

Nice program...I'd like to get a copy please

 
 
Posted by PINGZINGNY Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

Nice program...I'd like to get a copy please

 
 
Posted by m@ch1n3 Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

Mobile Video is great step for RIM. I am glad to see they may be pursuing this option for their devices. I use SlingPlayer Mobile on my Bold to view programs (through DVR connected to SlingBox). It works great, and there is no monthly subscription fee.

 
 
Posted by fatboy97 Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

Very cool... I would love to see this happen.

 
 
Posted by rudolphe Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

"Models like the Bold, Curve 8900 and Storm have such beautiful displays"

True, but if by Wi-Fi you mean wifi and only wifi, storm's left out!

 
 
Posted by ultraluxe Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

Wow, this is the first thing where Verizon's BB's lack of WiFi caused me pain.

I don't have a Slingbox. I don't even have cable tv. My husband and I work full time, and we have two young kids (incl. an 8-month-old). We just never bothered setting up cable or even internet when we moved a couple months ago, and have been so busy we haven't missed it.

However, I would go for this service in a heartbeat...if Verizon would let me.

 
 
Posted by roeod4 Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

If they are going to announce it as early as next week, maybe it is a part of the new App World.

 
 
Posted by bbstorm79 Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

Once a user orders a program, the content will be downloaded in the background over Wi-Fi

I do hope RIM is working on a service or partnership surrounding this type of concept and that it does launch sooner rather than later. Models like the Bold, Curve 8900 and Storm have such beautiful displays which the current average owner likely doesn't take full advantage of.

If it's Wi-Fi only current Storm owners will still be lacking in ways to take advantage...

 
 
Posted by Kamika007z Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

I LOVE MARRIED WITH CHILDREN!!!!

It still is my favorite sitcom :)

 
 
Posted by RyanCF Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

I hope they allow for download over the cellular network. While this might not be practical for those north of the border, many of us don't have WiFi enabled phones. I would hope that you could choose "WiFi preferred" but still download over your normal network connection.

 
 
Posted by sghere Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

"Once a user orders a program, the content will be downloaded in the background over Wi-Fi"

WOOT....the Storm is getting Wi-Fi. :(

Not sure this is really going to work too well seeing as how the BB network service could take quite some time to download these at 200-400kbps. I know streaming doesn't work on the 9530s at all. Kinda bummed when the guy next to me has an Iphone and can stream video over HIS wireless or AT&T, but I can't. I have to DL and save it before I can watch it.

 
 
Posted by Anonymous678 Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

If the only reason you have a phone is to stream videos over wi-fi, maybe you should have gotten an iPhone....

 
 
Posted by sghere Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

No...but 5 battery pulls (in one day) and sluggish response is not what I expect from the flagship of RIM.

If you're happy with that, then I guess you've never had a REAL phone.

 
 
Posted by AnonymousNeat Friday, Mar 27, 2009 1155 days ago

I've never had to do more than a single battery pull in a day. Would like to see you pull the battery on an iPhone though ;^p Maybe your unit is defective.

 
 
Posted by Poopdooky Friday, Mar 27, 2009 1155 days ago

Some of us upgrade the firmware and don't have to do battery pulls. These people are far happier with their Storms. They are also tired of people bitching about them when it's so simple to fix.

 
 
Posted by Everlast04x Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 1156 days ago

i love that show lol

 
 
Posted by Cancunlover Friday, Mar 27, 2009 1155 days ago

But how can I use my Storm to watch this service if I don't have WiFi on my device? Too bad...
And my Belgian data plan doesn't support unlimited capacity... ;-)
Ah well, we'll see.

 
 
Posted by janenebu Friday, Mar 27, 2009 1155 days ago

How would Storm owners get content with no WiFi?

 
 
Posted by gnr-met Friday, Mar 27, 2009 1155 days ago

I guess that's the reason why the Bold is the one featured in the picture since it has wi-fi and not the Storm, huh? :-(