On July 6, Avis Rent A Car and RaySat Broadcasting (RBC) announced that Avis renters at select locations can now enjoy the ride with AT&T CruiseCast service, a new satellite TV technology that delivers 22 video satellite channels as well as 20 audio channels to a mobile unit in automobiles. Effective July 6, Avis renters at airport locations in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach can rent AT&T CruiseCast for $8.95 per day or $62.65 per week.
“AT&T CruiseCast arrives just in time for family summer travel,” said Michael Caron, vice president of product and program development at Avis Budget Group, parent company of Avis. “The service provides hours of entertainment for adults and kids which is sure to enhance any summer vacation.”
The AT&T CruiseCast service offers a variety of channels, including Cartoon Network Mobile, Disney Channel, DisneyXD, Discovery Kids, USA Network, Discovery, Animal Planet, SCI FI, Lifetime Television, Adult Swim Mobile, ESPN Mobile, NFL Network, CBS College Sports Network, FOX News, CNN Mobile, MSNBC and AccuWeather.
The portable unit provides TV screens that attach to the back of the vehicle’s headrests, and come with headphones, for easy viewing and listening by passengers. A 12-volt jack plugs into the car’s power outlets and the unit’s receiver is housed inside a small bag attached to the seatback.
Outside the vehicle, a compact antenna is mounted to the roof. The antenna, installed by an Avis representative prior to rental pickup, receives the satellite TV signals, provides them to the receiver and displays the program on the TV screen. The AT&T CruiseCast service utilizes video buffering technology to automatically store two minutes of content so viewing is not interrupted by satellite obstructions such as overpasses or tall buildings.
“What better way to entertain travelers than with live TV in a rental vehicle,” said Winston Guillory, Jr., president of RBC. “AT&T CruiseCast service offers something for everyone and we know that Avis customers will really enjoy it.”
