After being pushed back a day following GM’s bankruptcy filing, AT&T (NYSE:T) today confirmed the nationwide launch of its CruiseCast in-vehicle satellite television service that it developed with RaySat Broadcasting Corporation.
The service, which includes technology from partners such as Synchronoss, NDS, Harmonic, ST Electronics and Hyundai Digital Technology, mirrors traditional satellite TV with the same programming guide and commercials. At launch, it will include 42 entertainment channels – 20 satellite radio and 22 satellite TV channels, such as CNN, USA, Disney, ESPN, Lifetime and Fox.
The service will be available from authorized installers and aftermarket-car retail outlets for $1,299 and a monthly subscription fee of $28 – a hefty price-tag given the state of the overall economy and, espeically, the automotive industry, which the companies acknowledged with the delay. CruiseCast will face competition from cheaper, albeit limited, in-vehicle services like Sirius’ Backseat TV and mobile initiatives from companies including Alcatel-Lucent and ICO Global Communication’s joint DVB-SH venture.
