New York – Hoping to make the minivan cool again, Chrysler officials announced today they’d begin offering SIRIUS Backseat TV™ in some of their vehicles starting with the 2008 model year.
Thanks to Chrysler kids won’t have to leave behind the trusted TV programming from Nickelodeon, the Disney Channel and the Cartoon Network when they hop in the car with mom and dad. They can take “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Cory in the House,” and “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends,” along for the ride anywhere they go in select 2008 models from Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge beginning with the all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans.
“Chrysler Group is committed to offering innovative technologies that are right for our customers,” said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President – Product Development, Chrysler Group.
SIRIUS Backseat TV operates via an in-vehicle satellite video receiver and two small roof-mounted antennas. Programs are displayed on the vehicle’s second- and/or third-row video screens, along with channel name and program title. To make sure parents can ensure that what’s being watched is suitable for their young passengers, rating information will also be broadcast and displayed on screen.
Not that Sponge Bob doesn’t have universal appeal but if the folks up front want to listen to Martha Stewart, Howard Stern, a NASCAR race, NFL game or any of the other 130 commercial free radio stations SIRIUS offers they can without shutting down the kids’ TV. The rear-seat passengers can watch SIRIUS Backseat TV while those is the front-seat tune in to SIRIUS Satellite Radio. The system can be operated from either the rear-seat or the radio up front. No, you can’t watch TV while driving but if you pull over and park, shows can be seen on the MyGIG (Multimedia Infotainment System) screen in the front.
SIRIUS Backseat TV is available for a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $470, which includes the first year of service, when packaged with Chrysler Group’s Rear Seat Entertainment System and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. After the first year, SIRIUS Backseat TV is available for $7 per month when packaged with SIRIUS Satellite Radio ($12.95 per month).
Whether more channels are in the pipeline remains to be seen. If they start offering the SPEED Channel, ESPN, The History Channel, Lifetime and other grown-up channels we may see people lobbying to lower the driving age so mom and dad can get their TV fix while the kids take the wheel. For now, technology, like youth, is wasted on the young.
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