RaySat Broadcasting Corp. announced that the AT&T CruiseCast service for in-car mobile TV service is now available, launching across the continental U.S. with 22 channels delivered to existing rear-seat entertainment systems.
The service is delivered via satellite operator by Intelsat to a three-pound, pod-like antenna affixed to a vehicle's roof.
The channel lineup includes: USA Network, Sci Fi Channel, Discovery, Animal Planet, CNN Mobile, Comedy Central Mobile, Adult Swim Mobile, Lifetime Channel, NFL Network, MSNBC, Fox News, AccuWeather, ESPN Mobile, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Discovery Kids, Cartoon Network Mobile, CBS College Sports Network, MTV Mobile, Nickelodeon Mobile, Noggin and The N.
AT&T CruiseCast also provides 20 channels of satellite radio. The manufacturer's adjusted price of the equipment -- antenna and receiver -- is $1,299 and the monthly subscription fee is $28.
Suppliers for the service include ST Electronics, which provides the circuitry that enables the line-of-sight blockage protection for the service; and Hyundai Digital Technology, which makes the in-vehicle receiver used by the service.
NDS is providing the conditional-access system, middleware and integration service, while the service uses Harmonic's video encoders and other equipment. Synchronoss provides subscriber-account management and the service-activation front-end for AT&T CruiseCast service.
In addition, the service will use RaySat Inc.'s Ku-band, phased-array satellite antennas for the roof-top antennas.
In January, RaySat Broadcasting announced a deal with Avis Budget Group to provide Avis and Budget Rent A Car customers with the option of purchasing AT&T CruiseCast satellite TV service in their rental car.
