There has been buzz about mixing cell phones and television. In fact, there are two real approaches to it. MobiTV is the cellphone-TV entry from Sprint/nextel and Cingular Wireless; offering 25 live television channels. Vcast from Verizon Wireless is the other.

My take is that neither of these will grow into a vibrant medium for television. Don't get me wrong, I can see very specific situations where I might wish I had one or the other services. But will I go out and pick out a cell phone and provider and be willing to pay to see this stuff. No.

An article today in the WSJ said it best:

"Few people are going to come home, pop open a beer and watch their cellphone anytime soon. But there may be a market for those who spend time on public transportation or waiting in lines."

Another angle on the business potential for this service: A consumer that pays $70 for digital cable, $30 for broadband, and $40 for cell phone service each month is paying almost $1700 a year for television, voice, and data. I don't believe that cell phone television is worth paying another $120 to get some of the same content (with lower quality and fewer options).