Understanding How Sirius Backseat TV Operates

Over time, parents have devised numerous strategies to keep their children entertained and well-behaved during long road trips.

One popular method is the electronic isolation technique: hand each child a gaming system and let them immerse in battling virtual villains rather than bothering their siblings. Another option is the in-car DVD setup, although it can be overwhelming if multiple children are watching their favorite shows simultaneously. And then there's the classic threat: 'Don't make me stop this car and come back there!'

Sirius XM Radio, Inc. offers a fresh approach to keeping the young ones content on the road. With Sirius Backseat TV, families can access channels like Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and The Disney Channel on the rear-seat video monitors of specially-equipped vehicles.

Moreover, adults in the front can enjoy their own choice of programming while the kids tune into their favorite shows. This is possible because Sirius channels are embedded within the digital bandwidth that carries its other content, making it yet another example of how tech companies are enhancing mobile entertainment.

This article delves into the details of Sirius Backseat TV—exploring what it is, how it functions, and how it bridges the gap between home and on-the-go video. Previously, getting TV shows in your car required a large satellite receiver or a portable television attempting to catch over-the-air signals. See how Sirius Backseat TV tackled this challenge on the next page.

What is Sirius Backseat TV?

Sirius captures the attention of parents by tapping into a familiar phrase: "Never again will you hear, 'are we there yet?'"

Acting like a sophisticated electronic babysitter, Sirius Backseat TV promises to keep children entertained and engaged during car rides in their parents' vehicles.

So, what exactly is Sirius Backseat TV? In simple terms, it's a mobile entertainment service that combines Sirius tuning hardware with a subscription for its programming. Currently, it's available as an installed feature only in new Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep models. The receiver and first year of service cost $470, and the service is available on the following vehicles:

However, if you're not purchasing a new Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep, you can still get Sirius Backseat TV installed as an aftermarket option, similar to adding a custom car stereo system. In this case, it's called the Sirius Connect Audio/Video Tuner (SCV1). For about $300, plus a $6.99 monthly subscription and the standard $12.95 Sirius satellite radio fee, you can add it to an existing vehicle. Note that you must have a Sirius satellite radio subscription to access the TV service.

You'll need to provide your own backseat monitor(s), and just like Sirius radio, the system can be integrated with your current car radio and DVD player setup.

The system features two small antennas installed on your car's roof, and the TV channels are packed into the same spectrum bandwidth as Sirius' 130 radio stations. Reviewers have generally praised the video quality—while not quite HD, users have reported no lag or pixelation issues that are often seen in other mobile video services.

Like most satellite-based entertainment systems, Sirius broadcasts may experience interruptions during bad weather or when the vehicle is near obstacles such as tall buildings or tunnels. This happens because these barriers block the satellite signal from reaching the antenna. Suppliers in the satellite industry continue to develop technology to minimize weather-related disruptions, commonly referred to as "rain fade" [source: Carter].

Sirius Backseat TV comes with a child-friendly wired remote, allowing passengers in the backseat to switch between channels. The front seat occupants also have their own wired remote to choose their preferred Sirius radio programs.

The Backseat TV programming includes shows from Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network. Nickelodeon and The Disney Channel air their full-length shows around the clock, including favorites like SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Hannah Montana, and Cory in the House. The Cartoon Network content is shorter, packaged as Cartoon Network Mobile, offering quick 2-11 minute clips from shows like Chowder, My Gym Partner's a Monkey, and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends.

Parents and children alike have many reasons to appreciate this technology, but with the ongoing concerns about distracted driving, is it safe to drive with live TV in your car? To form an opinion, be sure to read the next page.

Watching TV in the Backseat

Admit it: there's something oddly captivating about pulling up alongside another car and glimpsing the blue glow of LCD screens from inside. You can't help but wonder, 'What are they watching?'

Could this natural curiosity turn into a safety issue if drivers everywhere start installing video screens? Sirius seemed to anticipate potential legal concerns by intentionally calling their product Backseat TV. They were well aware that many states have enacted laws banning video viewing in the front seat for safety reasons. To strike a compromise, lawmakers and tech companies agreed that the front-seat video capabilities would be disabled if the emergency brake is not engaged. In essence, the video will only work in the front seat when the car is in park with the parking brake on.

Of course, resourceful car enthusiasts have come up with various hacks and workarounds to bypass this safety feature. That said, law enforcement officers are known to issue tickets for front-seat video displays when someone is driving. However, you can install as many backseat screens as you wish.

Apparently, lawmakers believe the dangers of a driver watching another car's video programming are manageable, although the research on this matter remains inconclusive. Numerous studies highlight the dangers of distracted driving, yet the precise number of auto accidents caused by consumer electronics is still unclear. In recent years, much of the focus from public officials has been on issues like phone use and texting while driving. 'The more devices you have in a vehicle, the more potential distractions you have,' said Ron Kipling, a traffic safety expert at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute [source: Evangelista]. But doesn't a device that alleviates the distraction of noisy children in the backseat help improve a driver’s focus? Maybe, as cell phones with video streaming and better live TV options become more widespread, we’ll see more research on how these devices affect driver safety.

Could someone with basic electronics knowledge set up a monitor to show Backseat TV in the front seat? Absolutely, but it's essential to use common sense to ensure that videos don’t play in a way that would distract the driver or jeopardize road safety.

After considering the safety aspects of Sirius Backseat TV, let’s shift to a business perspective. To understand whether this innovation will succeed or fail, proceed to the next page.

Sirius Backseat TV Costs

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One question that might arise for an adult contemplating this product: Is it really worth spending so much money just to avoid talking to the kids on a road trip? Will this be something people actually buy?

Remember, this product currently costs at least $300 initially, plus a $20 monthly subscription fee. It’s not exactly affordable, especially considering that you can have a conversation for free. On the other hand, the subscription includes access to Sirius’ audio channels as well.

Satellite television systems for mobile reception from DirecTV have been around for years, but their large size (only suitable for SUVs, RVs, or vans, not regular cars) and high cost (around $1,500 or more) have significantly limited their popularity.

From a business angle, Sirius is doing exactly what any savvy subscription-based service should do: they're leveraging technology to explore new ways to attract customers and boost revenue. TV, phone, and satellite companies all aim to increase what’s called average revenue per unit (ARPU), a measure that calculates total revenue divided by the number of subscribers. They can raise ARPU by hiking prices and irritating customers, or they can enhance their offerings and charge a little more for them.

What’s unclear right now is how consumers will react, considering the rapid shifts happening in the market. Streaming video to cell phones is gaining traction in the U.S., with services like Verizon’s V-Cast and Sprint’s Sprint TV. At the same time, the financial downturn that started in 2008 is likely to dampen consumer interest in non-essential spending for some time.

There hasn’t been an immediate rush by U.S. consumers to adopt mobile live TV services like Backseat TV, but analysts predict this will change. The U.S. has generally lagged behind countries like Japan and regions in Europe when it comes to mobile communications. More advanced cell phone networks in these areas have supported high-quality video streaming since the early 2000s. "It's just a matter of time" before mobile video becomes mainstream, telecom expert Jeff Kagan told U.S. News & World Report [source: LaGesse].

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For now, Sirius views Backseat TV as a supplementary service, not one that significantly contributes to its main revenue. However, as mobile video becomes more widely accepted in the U.S., it would be shortsighted to think the ‘small screen’ market will remain limited.

To learn more about Sirius Backseat TV, check out the next page.