Broadcast Interactive Media is working with hundreds of local TV stations, such as CBS 58, ABC 57 and Trinidad Express, to provide a new mobile platform for TV viewers.

The TV mobile applications will pull web content from the online TV channels and publish to the app in real-time. The apps will be available for iOS and Android.

?Getting a mobile app plays to our overall web strategy,? said Christopher Patterson, digital content manager at CBS 58, Milwaukee. ?Every day we work to have the latest updates on all of our digital platforms, thus building viewer confidence.

?We want to be the go-to source of information throughout the Milwaukee area,? he said. ?Mobile apps are a must for any station competing to be No. 1.

?We understand more and more people are sitting down with their favorite app while enjoying their morning coffee. About 47 percent of our traffic comes from mobile devices, which makes mobile a priority for us. Mobile apps are a convenient way for news stations to report news to mobile users, and are a convenient way to viewers to get the latest information.?

Mobile TV
The apps will stream both live video and video-on-demand. It also integrates with Facebook and Twitter for social media sharing.

Each app will have customized content tabs such as Top Stories, Local News and Sports. Content on the app will be pulled from the stations? Web sites and optimized for mobile.

Users can also view weather and traffic options via the app.

Additionally, the app is integrated with TitanTV mobile guide, so viewers will be able to find their favorite shows easily.

Marketing opportunities
The platform lets local stations earn revenue with banner ads, so marketers should be aware of this new outlet for advertising. There will only be one ad per page, so brands will have their audience?s full attention.

According to Richard Sullivan, senior vice president of marketing & strategy, Broadcast Interactive Media, Madison WI, marketers have always been attracted to local TV stations because it lets them associate their brand with a known TV station.

Now, marketers will be able to apply the same tactics via a mobile app.

?People consume media much differently today than even five years ago,? Mr. Sullivan said. ?It?s vitally important for TV stations to provide its news content to its viewers/users on any device they might be using, whether it?s TV, laptop, desktop, mobile phone, tablet and so forth.

?Mobile is important to us, because it is important to our clients,? he said. ?There is tremendous growth opportunities in mobile right now. The market is exploding. Our station clients know that and rely on us to provide the technical solutions that help them grow out their digital business.?

Final Take
Rebecca Borison is editorial assistant on Mobile Marketer, New York