Auburn Hills,
Mich. – Chrysler announced it
will become the first car maker to offer FLO TV’s live TV system in the car
this December.
Owners of select Chrysler vehicles will be able to receive 20
live TV channels including CBS Mobile, CNBC and MTV if they order a FLO TV
dealer option for $629 plus installation.
The cost includes a year of free service.
The FLO TV option is supplied by Audiovox through Mopar. The
announcement makes Chrysler the first car maker to offer a live TV service
other than Sirius Back Seat TV which accessed only three cartoon channels.
FLO TV, a subsidiary of Qualcomm offers live time shifted
programming from Comedy Central, FOX News, MSNBC, NBC 2Go, Nickelodeon and
others. The service is accessible in
more than 100 major markets as of the close of 2009, although it is not offered
in some rural areas.
The FLO TV system requires a separate TV screen and it uses a
small antenna similar in size to a laptop mouse that is mounted on the car
roof.
FLO TV may be ordered for 2008-2010 Chrysler Town & Country,
Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Dodge
Nitro, Ram 1500 and Ram 2500/3500 vehicles. .
The service also can be added to select 2008-2010 model-year
vehicles when new Mopar DVD systems are purchased.
For its part, Audiovox plans to deliver
a universal FLO TV system for most car platforms. Audiovox hopes to sell
its FLO TV system through approximately 12,000 new car dealers in 85 markets,
starting in the fourth quarter. The Audiovox system is expected to sell in the
$599 to $699 range (including installation) and requires a separate car TV
screen.
