Opportunities are multiplying for squinting at the small screen. We mean the really small, 2-to-3.5-inch screen of a mobile handset or smartphone.

According to US News & World Report, movie and TV studios hope they’ve found a “third screen” for their video after the TV and PC.

Most consumers haven’t embraced watching TV on the go but experts say it’s just a matter of time. Many predict mobile video will generate big profits for carriers and studios which are creating new programs for tiny sets, US News said.

Meanwhile, bigger screens are popping up in cars with video from satellites. 
For many, having live TV is much better than the simple DVD watching that’s become standard for traveling with kids.  Local stations have high hopes for mobile broadcasts that could be transmitting by the end of the year over new digital TV gear, says US News.

“If it works as planned, it changes the whole game of broadcasting,” says Gerry Kaufhold, a market analyst with In-Stat.

Here are four current options and another that’s coming soon to a screen near you--one that might already be in your pocket.

Flo TV: Sold under different names by Verizon and AT&T, this broadcast service delivers 10 channels of television to selected cellphones. The signal arrives from a TV tower and not over the cellular network. The quality is good, with a TV-like experience--no buffering, no waiting, and it comes with a programming guide. The service is available in more than 50 metro markets and offers channels from CBS News, Comedy Central, ESPN, Fox, and MTV. Verizon offers four channels for $13 a month, and both carriers offer all 10 for $15 a month.

SlingPlayer Mobile: If you have a smartphone and a SlingBox at home, this software lets you transfer whatever’s playing in your living room to your handset. The video stream arrives over a wireless Internet connection. With this service, you can control a TV, a cable box, or even a TiVo using a software remote. It works on many phones that run Windows Mobile, Nokia Symbian, and Palm systems--and soon the BlackBerry. The software costs $30, and a SlingBox starts at about $130, with no monthly fees.

MobiTV: Network and cablelike channels arrive on handsets offered by Sprint, Alltel, and AT&T. Similar services are available from Verizon and other carriers. Quality can be good, but the video starts after a bit of a lag over cell networks, meaning it can also stutter or die as can voice calls.  MobiTV includes live streams from the Weather Channel, ESPN Sports, and ABC News. Or download movies and full-length TV shows at your convenience.  There’s a monthly charge of about $10 in addition to fees for data plans, US News says.

Sirius Backseat TV: Satellite radio is no longer just about radio. Sirius sells a kit at electronic stores that adds a three-channel video feed to car LCD screens. New-car buyers can also get the system preinstalled on some Chrysler vehicles. US News says it isn’t high-def TV but looks good on small LCD screens. The kit costs $300 plus installation, and the service adds $7 to the $13 monthly charge for Sirius radio.

Sat-Go: When you can’t tear yourself away from your satellite TV, take it with you. You have to aim the briefcase’s lid at the southern sky, meaning you can’t be on the move while watching. And it weighs 27 pounds, so you’re not going to walk around with it. You can enjoy all the sports, movies, and sitcoms that DirecTV offers. Sat-Go comes with a 17-inch LCD screen for watching. Lining up the antenna can be tricky, especially if there are tall obstacles nearby, and don’t venture far, as the battery can die out in an hour. Cost: $1,000 plus monthly subscription fee. Or if you want 185 channels while on the go, consider the $3,000 (plus subscription fees), according to US News.

Mobile Broadcast: By next year, US News says this new standard could be delivering broadcasts from local TV stations to hand-held devices. Stations are expected to simulcast local broadcasts and offer extra, cable-like channels. Some will be supported by advertising and some will carry monthly fees. The first devices could appear in 2009 as hand-held media players but can be built into navigation devices, laptops, and cellphones. The experience should be similar to MediaFlo, which uses similar technology, with TV-like viewing and reception issues, depending on a handset’s position.