Tablet TV ramps up US launch

UK-based Motive Television is launching a full-scale marketing and distribution operation for its new Tablet Television in the US this week.

Tablet Television, which is a joint venture between Motive and US channels group Granite Broadcasting Corporation, allows viewers to watch and record all subscription-free, live HD television directly on to tablets via an over-the-air signal transmitted to a small antenna.

The use of the antenna means people can watch television on their handheld devices without Wi-Fi, mobile signal or a subscription.

Motive has been taking pre-orders in the US since November 26 and from tomorrow the device will be advertised to more than 7 million consumers in the San Francisco Bay area. The TabletTV App is already available via Apple’s App Store, while the device, called a TPod, is also to be made available in the UK.

In September, TabletTV appointed veteran Andrew Kaza as one of its non-executive directors to lead the roll-out of its new tablet service in the US.

Unlike controversial and now bankrupt service Aereo, Motive says Tablet TV has been developed with US broadcasters and does not retransmit any content, instead enabling devices to pick up the original transmission.