The Slingbox lets users watch and control their television shows from any location using computers and PDAs. Now it's the BlackBerry's turn.

Slingbox creator Sling Media Inc. will later this year release the SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry. The SlingPlayer Mobile for Research In Motion's BlackBerry will be demonstrated next week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

"It's a true multimedia application running on a platform which was obviously perceived to be more of an enterprise play, so it shows how RIM has transformed its handsets into more consumer-focused devices," said Brian Jaquet, director of public relations at Sling Media, Foster City, CA.

"We support a number of platforms, but this is one we get asked about quite often and a lot of our customers wanted to be supported on the BlackBerry," he said.

Mobile operating systems such as Windows Mobile, Symbian OS and Palm OS support the SlingPlayer Mobile.

Users will soon be able to watch their home TV programs on BlackBerry devices such as the BlackBerry Pearl 8120, which uses both cellular and Wi-Fi data connectivity.

"We're pushing toward the earlier part of the year than the latter part," Mr. Jaquet said.

The SlingPlayer Mobile doesn't require a monthly fee or any recurring charges. Slingbox customers can buy SlingPlayer Mobile for a one-time charge of $29.99.

Sling Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Holding Corp., said all versions of SlingPlayer Mobile include a 30-day free trial.

Sling fling
Mobile's now an important component of Sling Media's growth strategy.

"Mobile's a big part," Mr. Jaquet said. "When we first launched our mobile software, our expectations from the attach rate was pretty conservative. But we've been very encouraged by the number of existing Slingbox customers who've bought the software for their mobile devices as well as the number of people who've bought a Slingbox because of the mobile support we offer."

While he wouldn't disclose numbers, Mr. Jaquet claimed Sling Media has sold hundreds of thousands of Slingboxes. The company's attach rate -- customers who add the mobile client -- is estimated at 5 percent to 10 percent.

The upsell value also is one of the reasons why the BlackBerry deal makes sense.

"Any time you add mobile support, you open yourself to more customers," Mr. Jaquet said. "The BlackBerry customer penetration in the market is pretty significant -- we open ourselves up to new Slingbox customers. And it's also the right type of demographic.

"BlackBerry users, with their devices, more than anyone are a prime target for mobile TV," he said. "They travel quite a bit, they're with their device at all times. The main thing is, adding a new mobile platform opens us to whole new customer additions."