One of the year’s grandest launches recently took place at NBC Tent in Taguig as SMART formally introduced its much-talked about MyTV to press people,VIPs, celebrities, and techies.

The list of attendees was headed by business tycoon Manny Pangilinan and some interesting TV personalities like ABC-5’s Bobby Barreiro, PBA’s Ron Nathanielz, TV host RJ Ledesma, and actor Epy Quizon. A number of N-92 phones wherein Smart’s myTV is accessible were given to lucky attendees via a raffle that provided the whole occasion some extra thrill.

The said mobile TV puts together two of the most effective forms of media and entertainment around: TV and mobile phone. Holders of N-92 on the Smart network can try myTV for free with the ongoing free trial available till the end of this month.

Channels viewable as of yet include CNN, MTV Philippines, Cartoon Network, National Geographic, Pinoy Box Office, The History Channel, Solar Sports, Basketball TV, ETC., and Jack TV. Current talks are reportedly being done to tap giant local networks ABS-CBN and GMA.

"If ABS-CBN and GMA-7 are available on myTV, then the corporate crowd will use myTV since there’s usually no TV in the office during lunch break," said one comment.

The popularity of the two giant stations is supported by a figure that only 17 percent of Filipino homes are on cable, according to a study.

Area coverage of myTV includes Mega Manila (from North to South Luzon Expressway), Cebu, Davao, Tagaytay, Batangas, and Baguio City. Boracay and Cagayan de Oro will soon be reached.

Some people describe myTV as a toy only for the rich, while there are quarters doubting if the mass market would be ready for such.

Still, the arrival of myTV marks a significant achievement in the IT sector and a notable high among cell phone lovers especially that the Philippines itself is dubbed as a cellphone capital.

"This is a milestone and it will help revolutionize the industry" expressed Pangilinan who is fondly called as MVP.

With the channels mentioned, at least four areas will be touched upon by myTV, namely the field of entertainment, news, sports, and documentaries. ETC, Jack TV, Cartoon Network, Pinoy Box Office, and MTV represent the entertainment sector while CNN takes care of the news.

As for the sports side, Basketball TV, the PBA, and Solar Sports are on to be viewed, as the History Channel and National Geographic showcase documentary watch.