AT&T and RaySat Broadcasting have debuted a satellite video and audio service to the car at CES. The product is a competitor to Sirius BackSeatTV.
It’s called CruiseCast. Users of the in-car entertainment service can watch 22 satellite TV and receive 20 satellite radio channels. The product has a compact, low-profile antenna for use on cars, trucks and SUVs, and a technology that AT&T says overcomes line-of-sight obstacles such as overpasses, buildings, trees or tunnels.
Planned TV programming includes the Disney Channel, Disney XD, Discovery Kids, Animal Planet, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network Mobile, USA, Comedy Central, MSNBC, CNN Mobile Live and CNBC.
AT&T worked with RaySat, which makes low-profile satellite antennas, on the product. CruiseCast will launch in the spring, according to the companies.
It will be sold through auto dealerships and other automotive product vendors where buyers can have the compact antennas and receivers installed to link into rear-seat entertainment systems. The antenna will be secured to a roof-rack on sedans, SUVs and mini-vans and with a magnetic mount on other vehicles.
Price has not been announced.
