This year may be mobile-TVs biggest yet. After Verizon's launch of mobile-TV offerings in 20 markets last week comes word that since its launch in Nov. 2003 MobiTV has acquired more than 2 million subscribers wordwide - three-quarters of them in the U.S.

MobiTV offers on-demand content for AT&T and Sprint in the U.S., while Verizon's MediaFlo-powered channels stream eight "live" channels from major networks such as MTV and Comedy Central, with more on the way.

Despite rampant skepticism, including a recent Gartner report describing mobile TV as overhyped and "at least 5 to 10 years away," others believe the age of mobile TV is now.

"We're seeing an increasing demand for mobile TV," said Jeff Kagan, an independent wireless analyst. "The product is getting better and better."