Chrysler To Offer Satellite TV

Deal With Sirius Will Offer Limited Service In Some 2008 Minivans And Other Models

(AP)  The TV service has been in the works for several years, and Sirius has demonstrated it at trade shows in the past.

Sirius' satellite radio rival, XM, is exploring backseat video with its automotive partners but has no plans for an announcement, spokesman Chance Patterson said.

"As soon as there is a market opportunity, we will take it under consideration," Patterson said.

Oppenheimer & Co. analyst Thomas Eagan said the video should help Sirius increase its subscriber list, but could have the potential of causing a glitch in Sirius' plans to combine with XM. The companies have been blocked from merging under licenses granted to them a decade ago, but they're arguing now that there are many forms of competition for audio entertainment, including MP3 players, Internet radio as well as terrestrial radio.

"My concern is that one consequence could be that regulators could define the market more narrowly and conclude that broadcast radio is not a competitor," leading them to block the proposed combination, he said.

Chrysler and Sirius ran a demonstration of the service Thursday morning in New York's Times Square.

In a Dodge Grand Caravan, the TV system easily was able to switch channels, with a slight delay, and delivered good quality sound and pictures.

The driver or front-seat passenger can switch between the TV service, Sirius satellite radio's audio service as well as regular AM and FM radio via a small video screen installed in the dash. That system, which also includes a navigation service and a hard drive for playing music from MP3 files, is called the MyGIG.

The vehicle has three screens: two 8-inch screens for the rear-seat passengers, and the smaller screen in the dash.

Having the Sirius TV service installed in the vehicle requires an additional antenna in order to improve reception, and also a separate video tuner in addition to the satellite radio tuner for audio signals.

It also works on a screen in the dashboard, but don't think for a minute that you'll be able to watch SpongeBob while driving.

For safety reasons, the TV channels won't show up in the front unless the vehicle is in park.