Cingular launches mobile video service

Cingular is set to launch a mobile video service that includes video clips from Cartoon Network, Fox News, NBC and HBO for subscribers on its 3G network. The basic subscription that includes all content except HBO runs $20 a month; an extra $5 a month gets access to 3-5 minute HBO clips. The service will only run on the LG CU320 or Samsung SGH-ZX10, which go on sale along with the service today and will cost $99 each with a two-year contract. The service is available in the 16 major metropolitan areas where Cingular's 3G network is up and running. The service follows the carrier's launch of live streaming TV from MobiTV last year.

Cingular Wireless is the product of a JV from AT&T and BellSouth, and AT&T just announced its intent to acquire BellSouth for $67 billion. One ramification of the deal, according to the companies' press release, is a merging of the "three screens." Although most of that is just IMS hype, transferring voice, video data and other services onto the same IP backbone could bring some interesting things to the mobile screen, especially given the two companies efforts on the IPTV front.

For more on Cingular's new mobile video service:
- see this article from the AP
- and take a look at this press release about the merger