Digital Home Thoughts: ABC Exec Excited about Personal Media Players

"Streaming pioneer Bernard Gershon, who oversees ABC's new Digital Media Group, said wireless and "personal media players" are the future of streaming video. "ABC on ABC television is the primary focus of our business, but we think if we can connect with our viewer [via wireless devices or the Internet] they're more likely to watch ABC on television." Gershon quoted Jack Myers, "It's self evident that broadband is the single most important new technological advancement since the development of TV." "The broadband population has reached a tipping point," he said. Gershon demonstrated ABC News Live, ABC's 24-hour broadband news channel. And he played World News Tonight on his PMP. 'This is going to be the iPod for video.... Give consumers something they're passionate about, anywhere, anytime on any device.' "

Makes sense to me! Unlike most of the digital video boom to date, I think digital video on portable devices will be largely driven by content providers making mobile video formats available for mobile users. One of the comments on this linked page is quite interesting - the person mentions how exciting things will get once they add in WiFi access. Imagine being able to dock the unit in a cradle in your bedroom and have it sync the latest content for you automatically while it recharges. Sweet!