Chrysler?s in-vehicle mobile TV offering in eight of its 2010 automobiles presents brands with a marketing channel to reach drivers on the go.
 
Consumers can watch live sports, breaking news, kids? programs and primetime network shows in their cars. Programming content includes ABC, CBS, CNN, Comedy Central, Disney Channel, FOX, MTV, NBC and more.

?Being new technology we foresee it offering new solutions for marketers hoping to reach drivers on the go,? said Jim Sassorossi, director of Mopar parts, sales and marketing, Auburn Hills, MI.

Live, mobile TV technology is now available in Texas and Chrysler will showcase it in a Ram 2500 at the 2010 Dallas Auto Show.

The model-year vehicles that will have live mobile TV include: Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Dodge Nitro, Ram 1500 and Ram 2500/3500.

Mopar, Chrysler Group?s service, parts and customer care brand is channeling live mobile TV into the vehicles.

?We continuously talk to our customers and seek ways to add value to their experience,? Mr. Sassorossi said. ?We've discovered that our customers love our DVD players in vehicles and they've indicated sometimes it would be nice to just watch live TV in lieu of a DVD.

?Examples they mentioned are to watch live sporting events and reality shows,? he said. ?In addition for short trips there is no need to start a DVD a customer knows they can't finish by time they arrive to their destination.?

Consumers can pay $629 plus installation for the feature, which also includes a one-year prepaid Flo TV subscription.

Chrysler also claims that the service can be added to select 2008-2010 model-year vehicles when new Mopar headrests or seat-top DVD entertainment systems are purchased.

Flo TV, a company that offers live mobile TV at the touch of a button, built the multicast network that will be used in the vehicles and television signals are delivered through the network.

Audiovox Corp. supplies Flo TV with auto entertainment hardware that integrates with Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and ram vehicles? existing entertainment systems and new Mopar 7-inch DVD screen systems.

A small antenna is mounted on the vehicle?s roof to deliver the digital TV signal. A receiver and wiring are also installed, but are installed under the interior trim, so consumers will not see them.

Consumers can use wired and wireless remote controls to surf channels.

?From a marketing standpoint, reaching drivers on the go represents a new frontier,? said Bryan Zvibleman, head of Mopar marketing public relations, Auburn Hills, MI.

?Our strategy is to offer our customers the ultimate in-vehicle entertainment and technology,? he said. ?Whether it's live, mobile television or WiFi, Mopar will continue to add value to Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles.?