A technique of acquisition in a MediaFLO™ (Forward Link Only) mobile multimedia multicast system, wherein the method comprises receiving a superframe comprising a first digital symbol in a receiver operating in a first state of operation; assuming the first received digital symbol to be a Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) pilot symbol; calculating a first sparseness index of the first symbol; storing the first sparseness index; operating the receiver in a second state of operation; receiving a second digital symbol; calculating a second sparseness index for the second digital symbol; the receiver remaining in the second state of operation when the second sparseness index is greater than the first sparseness index, wherein the second digital symbol is assumed to be the TDM pilot symbol; and verifying that the last assumed TDM pilot symbol is the correct TDM pilot of the superframe.