Visionsport.TV Goes Mobile

The web TV channel launched three months ago at MIPTV in Cannes by media entrepreneur John Gubba - visionsport.TV - has become the first independently operated sports channel to broadcast globally over the mobile phone network.
The new service offers free Video On Demand viewing and can be accessed on any mobile network anywhere in the world: www.visionsport.mobi.
Highlights from Ipswich v Colchester and the half-time celebrity match between former legends of Portman Road including Frans Thijssen, John Wark and Kevin Beattie launched the new service on a special day for long-serving Fabian Wilnis.
"visionsport.TV is fab and it's absolutely free," said Wilnis, who was celebrating his testimonial at the weekend after nearly ten years with the club installed as one of the favourites to win promotion to the Premier League following the appointment of former Manchester United legend Roy Keane as manager.
Twelve years after launching Boro TV - Britain's first dedicated Football Club TV channel - Gubba believes content owners must take the long-term approach to maximising revenue streams.
"visionsport.TV is now available free to view both on the web and on the mobile," said the producer-director, who is MD of Buckinghamshire-based VSI TV.
"We are actively looking for partners including football clubs, broadcasters and other content owners wishing to supply content to visionsport.TV on a profit share basis. The revenue will come from advertising and sponsorship."
The technology is provided by Yamgo, whose MD Ian Mullins explained: "The solution is optimised for 3G phones but dynamically adapts to 2.5G or WiFi speeds delivering the best quality of service possible.
"There is nothing to pay and no software to download. All you have to do is type visionsport.mobi into the browser on your mobile phone."
Gubba added: "Visionsport is a brand I started in 1990 when we began publishing and distributing programmes for the Home Video Market. Since then I have produced, directed and published over 300 sports videos and DVDs promoting the visionsport brand as both a label and website destination.
"The advances in technology mean the options now include rolling out our content via the mobile network, the web and set-top boxes to cable and satellite homes."
(KMcA/BMcC)