FLO TV Shutting Down March 27


It's official. While the FLO TV web site still lists the programming available on Qualcomm's FLO TV service, and its coverage across the country, the rebate page reveals: "In consideration of the FLO TV service ending on March 27, 2011 we are offering a rebate on FLO TV devices."

The rebates apply to the FLO TV Personal Television, the Audiovox Portable DVD Player with FLO TV and FLO TV Auto Entertainment. Non-FLO TV accessories and charges such as tax, shipping and handling are not eligible for rebate.

Humberto Saabedra, in the article Qualcomm to Shut Down FLO TV on PhoneNews.com observes, "Consumer reception for the service was lukewarm owing to the initially high $15/month cost on top of monthly wireless service as well as limited channel selection, with carrier and hardware exclusive channels adding to the confusion. Monthly rate reductions, increased hardware availability and bundled service did little to spur sales, as few outside of the tech enthusiast circles adopted the service."

I have not seen any information on what will happen to FLO TV's spectrum, its transmitters, antennas and site leases. If any readers have additional information, please let me know.

Doug Lung

Doug Lung is one of America's foremost authorities on broadcast RF technology. As vice president of Broadcast Technology for NBCUniversal Local, H. Douglas Lung leads NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ RF and transmission affairs, including microwave, radars, satellite uplinks, and FCC technical filings. Beginning his career in 1976 at KSCI in Los Angeles, Lung has nearly 50 years of experience in broadcast television engineering. Beginning in 1985, he led the engineering department for what was to become the Telemundo network and station group, assisting in the design, construction and installation of the company’s broadcast and cable facilities. Other projects include work on the launch of Hawaii’s first UHF TV station, the rollout and testing of the ATSC mobile-handheld standard, and software development related to the incentive auction TV spectrum repack.
A longtime columnist for TV Technology, Doug is also a regular contributor to IEEE Broadcast Technology. He is the recipient of the 2023 NAB Television Engineering Award. He also received a Tech Leadership Award from TV Tech publisher Future plc in 2021 and is a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.