In July 2013, Southwest Airlines entered into a
content and connectivity partnership with Global
Eagle Entertainment (GEE) subsidiary, Row 44,
which for the first time enabled passengers to
watch free live TV on board. Row 44’s Ku-band
satellite connectivity service powered an inflight
offering called ‘TV Flies Free’, which supplied
free live TV and more than 50 on-demand shows
streamed directly to personal devices, courtesy
of DISH.
The July 2013 deal followed the initial launch
of Row 44’s live TV platform with Southwest
Airlines in summer 2012. After a successful pilot
phase, it was rolled out to all the airline’s wi-fiequipped
B737-700 and -800 aircraft, which
now represents more than 425 aircraft, or
around 75% of Southwest’s fleet.
John LaValle, CEO of GEE stated at the time,
“Our live TV product is an outstanding example
of the capacity and flexibility a system powered
by Ku-band satellite connectivity can achieve,
and it is being established on a global scale.”
The design of the satellite network that
supports the ‘TV Flies Free’ program, which
operates across North America, is the result
of a engineering and technology collaboration
between Hughes Network Systems (Hughes)
and Row 44. Hughes’ expertise in broadband
satellite solutions and services bolstered the
performance of the network.
LI V E T V
089
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
SEPTEMBER 2019
A Brazilian innovator
In January 2018, Brazilian airline GOL announced that
it was the launch airline for Gogo TV, an IPTV service
powered by Gogo’s 2Ku wi-fi system, which was to be
installed on all GOL aircraft.
The live programming offers six TV channels that can
be viewed by passengers on their own devices, with
content provided by a partnership between GOL and TV
channel producer, Globosat. The channel lineup includes
popular Brazilian TV channels: TV Globo, GloboNews,
Gloob, GNT, Multishow, and OFF.
“Innovation is part of GOL and adding Live TV
streaming is another important step. We are very
pleased to be the first airline in Latin America to offer
Internet connection, entertainment and live TV to our
customers,” states GOL’s chief experience officer, Paulo
Miranda. “GOL is very proud of connecting people, and
live TV streaming complements and enhances the
inflight experience.”
AN AMERICAN INNOVATOR
See our
website for an
interview with
GOL’s chief
experience
officer
A European
innovator
In November 2015 Norwegian
became the first airline to offer
live TV on European flights on its
fleet of 87 wi-fi equipped aircraft.
Passengers using the free inflight
wi-fi (provided by GEE) could now
watch Bloomberg Television and
Norway’s TV 2 News live on their
devices. The launch of live TV was
developed by Norwegian’s frequent
flyer program, Norwegian Reward,
and Norwegian cable TV company
RiksTV, which regarded broadcasting
live TV on mobile devices as a key
part of the company’s strategy.
TV 2 news and sports editor Jan
Ove Årsæther said at the launch,
“Viewers expect to be able to watch
live news at all times.”
RIGHT: BLOOMBERG TELEVISION
PROVIDES THE INTERNATIONAL
NEWS ON BOARD NORWEGIAN’S
AIRCRAFT, AS WELL AS
TV 2 NEWS, WHICH IS NORWAY’S
ONLY NEWS CHANNEL
LEFT: GEE’S AIRTIME
ENTERTAINMENT PORTAL
/aircraftinteriorsinternational.com