The History Channel has announced the launch of a direct-to-consumer mobile service in the UK, delivering the networks content to viewers via WAP for the first time. The History Channel mobile service offers a range of tiers, including a free service, pay-per-download or subscription. 
arvato mobile, a subsidiary of the international media and communication services provider arvato AG, itself a corporate division of Bertelsmann, built and will serve the platform for the service, which launched in the UK yesterday. Localised versions of The History Channel mobile service will roll out in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia later in 2007.
Content available on the WAP site includes a This Day in History daily feature, with text and images, programme information, video highlights, quizzes, polls and competitions. Through the subscription and pay-per-download services, consumers can view short form video and download wallpapers and games.
Users can also access a 30,000-entry encyclopaedia from The History Channel, allowing viewers to search for dates and facts, wherever they are.  The History Channel mobile service can be accessed in the UK by texting HISTORY to 81066 or through the mobile URL, mobile.thehistorychannel.co.uk. To promote the launch, the subscription service will be available for free for the first six weeks.
The History Channel currently has mobile TV services in the UK with Vodafone Sky Mobile, Three and Orange; in Portugal with Vodafone, TMN and Optimus;  in Spain with Vodafone; in Latin America on Claro in Brazil and Telcel in Mexico through MobiTV; and in Turkey, through Mobilturk. 
Now available in 130 countries in more than 230 million TV households, The History Channel is the only international television network devoted exclusively to historical programming, covering a variety of topics, including ancient and contemporary history, military history and conflict, and technology and transport.
“We are excited to be extending our popular web services to mobile,” says Emily Lloyd, Head of New Media for The History Channel UK.  “The search function is particularly compelling – the equivalent of carrying around a massive encyclopaedia in your pocket.  I only hope we dont get too many complaints about people cheating in the pub quiz!”