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T-Mobile reportedly delays 'groundbreaking' TV service until 2019

T-Mobile announced that it would enter the cable TV market in 2018, but it looks like we'll need to wait a little longer...
By
December 20, 2018
The T-Mobile logo.

T-Mobile announced plans to launch a “disruptive” pay TV service back in December 2017, targeting a vague 2018 release window. There are just over two weeks left in the year though, so we can’t be surprised to hear that the carrier is reportedly delaying the launch until 2019.

According to Bloomberg, citing “people familiar with the situation,” the project is more complex than initially expected. The sources told the outlet that T-Mobile was faced with either launching a bog-standard streaming platform to watch cable channels and other content, or to wait until next year to launch a  more “groundbreaking” service.

At the time of its initial announcement, T-Mobile confirmed that it acquired cable TV firm Layer3 TV to help with the launch of the upcoming service. Layer3, which offers cable TV services in several U.S. cities, holds its own programming rights. But sources told Bloomberg that the carrier’s attempt to gain mobile distribution rights was “highly complex.”

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It’s unclear what exactly we should expect from the product when it actually launches, but T-Mobile has previously revealed that its LTE network will play a major role. And when you combine the LTE emphasis with mobile distribution rights, it certainly seems like mobile streaming will be a massive focus.

One potential route would be for T-Mobile to offer a la carte offerings, allowing consumers to pick and choose their channels. Alternatively, its service could simply offer a much cheaper price than the competition — and without lengthy contracts. The carrier could zero-rate this service over its own network, via its Binge-On initiative. In any event, we’ll likely need to wait until 2019 for more details regarding this service.

What would you like to see from T-Mobile’s TV service? Give us your thoughts below!

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