Driving Sports

Chrysler is set to begin channeling live, mobile TV into Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles. The company will showcase its new technology in a Ram 2500 at the 2010 Dallas Auto Show.

Chrysler will become the first automaker in the United States to offer live, mobile TV to consumers in over 100 U.S. metropolitan areas. The system offers something for everyone: college and professional sports, breaking news, children's shows, primetime sitcoms, reality TV and daytime dramas.

How it works

Television signals are delivered through a dedicated multicast network built by San Diego-based FLO(TM) TV Inc., a live, mobile TV service provider, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc. FLO TV offers live and time-shifted programming from top entertainment brands.

The service is available in more than 100 major markets and many interstate driving corridors, however it is not available in some rural areas.

Audiovox Corp., of Hauppauge, NY, supplies FLO TV 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, about the size of a laptop mouse, is mounted on a vehicle's roof to deliver the digital TV signal. Inside the vehicle, the receiver and wiring are installed under the interior trim of the vehicle and are not visible to occupants.

User-friendly wired and wireless remote controls allow viewers to easily surf channels, similar to TV systems at home.

Mopar's suggested retail price is $629, plus installation. A one-year pre-paid subscription is included with installation.

What cars will have it?

The entertainment package is available as a dealer-installed option on the following 2008-2010 model-year vehicles with factory DVD entertainment systems: Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Dodge Nitro, Ram 1500 and Ram 2500/3500.

The service also may be added to select 2008-2010 model-year vehicles when new Mopar headrests or seat-top DVD entertainment systems are purchased.

Mopar's live, mobile TV option includes a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on new vehicles or a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty on used vehicles for hardware and installation.

Is this a sign of the apocalypse?

Well, it's probably not an epic crash of civilization, but it can't be seen as good news for highway safety. As a responsible automaker, Chrysler makes sure that none of the video screens are where the driver can watch a video or turn on the game while cruising down the freeway. The aftermarket will take care of that, however, so look for anti-TV laws modeled on the hands-free cell phone laws to follow the first few avoidable crashes.