CNN Unveils New Mobile Service (original article available here ... CNN Mobile Services - CNN Mobile TV)

Turner Broadcasting System International is to unveil its new CNN Mobile service, the first of its services developed in collaboration with Ericsson, at the 3GSM show in Barcelona, on February 12. The new service is set to be one of the most comprehensive mobile news sites on the market and will, for the first time, be available direct to consumers free of charge.

The new mobile internet service allows users to stay informed wherever they are and even access CNN’s ‘In the Field’ blogs from the network’s international correspondents. The site features a searchable 14-day news archive with over 2000 stories, as well as a breaking news SMS alert service and category-based news sections, including Business, Weather, Entertainment & Lifestyle. It also features a made-for-mobile hourly video news update, ‘World News Now’. The service will be available to mobile users from the beginning of March in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

The new CNN Mobile has been developed with Ericsson’s unrivalled expertise in mobile communications. It operates on all WAP-enabled mobile and handheld devices, regardless of operator and can be accessed on the portal of CNNmobile.com in all mobile browsers and also through operator portals where deals are in place.

Casey Harwood, Senior Vice President Digital Media, Turner Broadcasting International said: “CNN is committed to bringing news to our global users across multiple platforms. More and more of our users are demanding their news on the go, and we have developed this new mobile service to deliver the best possible user experience.”

The consumer launch of the new CNN Mobile service in March will be supported by an extensive marketing campaign, encompassing on-air, outdoor, print and online advertising and includes demonstrations and innovative opportunities for people to trial the new product.

CNN has long been a pioneer of digital news provision, having been offering one of the first news organisations to offer a mobile news service in 1999. It has also pioneered mobile news streaming to 3G and UMTS phones and has been involved in DVBH trials all over the world.

Turner has announced that further mobile services are to be launched throughout 2007, with new mobile sites for Cartoon Network and Adult Swim already in development as part of Turner’s commitment to delivering its content on new media platforms.