LiveTV Streaming Across Borders: DIRECTV Inflight Expands Live US Television to International Flights
Originally published on APEX
All Images via DIRECTV
Inflight entertainment has evolved from a secondary perk to a defining part of the modern air travel experience. Today, passengers expect more than just a comfortable seat; they want connectivity and compelling content that mirrors what they can watch on the ground. Nevertheless, passengers on international flights to/from the United States have faced a frustrating service gap: the absence of live US television. Passengers on international flights to and from the United States were restricted to pre-recorded content that lacked real-time engagement. However, that has all changed with DIRECTV Inflight’s content expansion. In a landmark breakthrough, DIRECTV Inflight, a leading inflight entertainment provider (IFE), has secured international programming rights to provide live US television content on international flights departing from and arriving to the United States.
A New Era of Inflight Entertainment
In 2000, DIRECTV introduced its inflight entertainment service, DIRECTV Airborne, and was the first service to offer live inflight TV, debuting with JetBlue Airways. Since then, DIRECTV Inflight has become a staple on major US carriers including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. More than two decades later, it remains synonymous with real-time, high-quality content. Now the El Segundo, California-based company has become the first United States-based tv aggregator to deliver IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) programming internationally, on designated flights in and out of the United States.
Kimberly De Flesco, Head of Aviation Strategy for DIRECTV Inflight, explained, “DIRECTV Inflight is redefining the inflight entertainment landscape for international travelers by connecting passengers to their favorite U.S. content when they fly from and to the United States.”
As part of this expansion DIRECTV Inflight will enable passengers to stream from a curated lineup of over 50 live US channels that encompass sports (NFL Network, NFL RedZone, NHL Network, FOX Soccer Plus, GOLF Channel, and CBS Sports Network), news and business (FOX News International, MSNBC, CNBC, FOX Business Network International, and FOX Weather), and other entertainment channels (Bravo, FX, USA, E!, NatGeo, Hallmark, and Disney Channel). Furthermore, Spanish-language content from Telemundo and Univision is available. These channels provide passengers flying a familiar inflight streaming experience, akin to what passengers enjoy on domestic flights. Moreover, the mix of channels ensures that there is something for every traveler, from a business passenger catching up on market news to a sports fan tuning into live games. “We’re helping to keep passengers engaged, informed, and entertained while flying beyond US borders,” De Flesco added.
DIRECTV Inflight service is compatible with seatback screens and personal devices, providing flexibility and convenience for passengers. This dual-access approach ensures that travelers can enjoy their preferred content through the medium of their choice, enhancing the overall inflight experience.
This global expansion of US programming signifies a pivotal shift in the inflight entertainment landscape, setting new standards for passenger engagement on international flights. “We are trailblazing and pioneering our way to bringing this US domestic content outside US borders,” Director of Commercial/Private Aviation & National Dealers at DIRECTV Vincent Caruolo said—the implications of this content upgrade extended beyond technical novelty. As airlines seek to differentiate their services, offering live and accessible US content becomes critical in enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Behind the Scenes: Licensing, Logistics, and Innovation
What sounds simple on the surface–expanding US TV to international flights– was the product of a multi-year logistical and legal undertaking. Unlike traditional entertainment studios, DIRECTV Inflight does not own the content it delivers. Instead, it operates as an aggregator that brokers deals with programmers who own the rights to a network or channel. Content licensing rights are geographically restricted so DIRECTV Inflight’s programs on domestic flights can not be shown internationally without a new set of permissions. As such, every piece of content had to be renegotiated for international use. This was a massive undertaking that took over three years to complete. DIRECTV had to secure two-way rights from each programmer, which would allow DIRECTV Inflight to distribute and show their content outside the United States.
Now, DIRECTV Inflight does not work directly with airlines; rather, it works with inflight connectivity (IFC) providers such as Viasat, which integrate DIRECTV’s IPTV feed into the carrier’s IFE. While DIRECTV Inflight can offer a curated lineup of 50 live US channels, airlines must work with their IFC vendor to choose which of the 50 channels they want.
This model provides maximum flexibility for all parties, as an airline can tailor its programming lineup based on passenger demographics, routes, and regional preferences. US-based airlines are natural customers for the new international inflight offerings, but they are not the only ones; international carriers, especially those that fly high volumes of US-bound passengers, are also interested.
While the current offering includes 50 curated live channels, DIRECTV Inflight is looking to add more programmers to make the product more robust. “We will continue to add more content, whether it’s sports, weather, news, or lifestyle; the product is by no means finished,” Caruolo explained.
DIRECTV Inflight expansion into international routes is a technical upgrade and a leap forward in global air travel. By securing international rights to deliver live US television on flights departing from and returning to the United States, the company has bridged a longstanding content gap, which will augment the passenger experience.
