United to stream live football and TV channels on Starlink-equipped aircraft
United Airlines is adding eight live television networks, including NFL and college football coverage, to its Starlink-equipped fleet under a partnership with DISH. The channels will only appear on aircraft fitted with the satellite internet service and in-seat screens.
United Airlines will offer live football and other television programming on its Starlink-equipped aircraft through a new partnership with DISH. The deal covers eight networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, FS1, ESPN, ESPN2 and NFL Network, plus Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime.
The channels require both Starlink internet service and in-seat entertainment screens. Programming is streamed to each aircraft over the satellite link, then distributed on board. That setup covers about 220 mainline planes today.
With the peak summer operating period over, United expects installations to move faster. The carrier wants 700 mainline aircraft equipped with Starlink by mid-February, roughly 100 installations a month.
Live sport is the main draw, but a company spokesperson said the channels will stay available when no football is being played.
The airline has also said it wants its inflight entertainment system to be more modular in the content it offers. That includes an embedded Spotify client, building on the pre-stored content introduced last year, and its Kinective Marketing platform for targeting and personalization.
Sources
- paxex.aeroUnited Brings Football to Flights with DISH, Starlink