LiveTV

LiveTV was an aviation technology brand and provider of in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. Its principal business was supplying airlines with equipment and services that enabled passengers to watch live television and other programming from aircraft seats. The company also supported satellite radio, movies, flight-tracking information, and later high-speed onboard internet connectivity. The business originated from work by Harris Corporation on the delivery of live television to aircraft through satellite communications. Harris initially explored the opportunity with In-Flight Phone, which had been investigating air-to-ground communications for commercial aviation. After an early demonstration involving air-to-ground technology and live radio, Harris was contracted to develop a satellite-based live television system. In-Flight Phone subsequently entered bankruptcy, leaving Harris with unpaid development costs. As part of the settlement with creditors, Harris and BE Aerospace established LiveTV in 1998 as a joint venture intended to complete development and commercialize the system. LiveTV became one of the leading suppliers in the aircraft in-flight entertainment market. It was commonly grouped with Panasonic Avionics, Thales, and Rockwell Collins as one of the industry's four major manufacturers or providers. Its systems were installed by airlines in North America and other international markets, including JetBlue Airways, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet, and Azul. The company also had a presence through facilities and offices associated with aviation markets in the United States and Canada. JetBlue acquired LiveTV in 2002, making the company a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways Corporation. Under JetBlue ownership, LiveTV continued to operate as a technology supplier while also developing connectivity services for airlines beyond JetBlue. In 2006, it obtained a narrow block of frequencies in a Federal Communications Commission auction for air-to-ground communications. The company later pursued satellite-based Wi-Fi, including a 2011 agreement to install ViaSat Ka-band connectivity on more than 200 United Airlines aircraft. This followed JetBlue's own earlier plan to equip a large portion of its fleet with ViaSat connectivity. LiveTV's ownership changed again in 2014. Thales agreed to acquire the business from JetBlue for approximately $400 million, with the transaction completed in June 2014 for $399 million in cash. Following the sale, LiveTV ceased to operate as an independent JetBlue-owned company and became part of Thales's broader aviation and in-flight entertainment activities. The standalone LiveTV brand is therefore best understood as a former aviation technology company rather than a currently independent consumer media brand.

LiveTV developed from an effort to bring live television and related communications services to commercial aircraft. Harris Corporation developed a concept for delivering television to aircraft through satellite relay and patented the approach. In 1992, Harris contacted In-Flight Phone to explore a commercial aviation application. In-Flight Phone first engaged Harris to produce a concept demonstration for an air-to-ground system that could deliver live radio using an experimental license. After that demonstration, In-Flight Phone commissioned Harris to develop a satellite-based live television system. The project encountered financial difficulties when In-Flight Phone declared bankruptcy. Harris was left as a creditor, with a substantial portion of its development expenditure unpaid. As part of the settlement reached with In-Flight Phone's creditors, Harris and BE Aerospace received a carried interest and formed LiveTV as a joint venture in 1998. The new company was established to finish development and commercialize in-seat satellite television for airline passengers. LiveTV subsequently became a major supplier in the aircraft in-flight entertainment sector. Its core systems delivered live television to passenger seats, while its broader offering included satellite radio, movies, and flight-tracking information. The business operated in a specialized market serving airlines and aircraft fleets rather than individual consumers. It was often identified as one of the industry's four leading in-flight entertainment system providers, alongside Panasonic Avionics, Thales, and Rockwell Collins. JetBlue Airways Corporation acquired LiveTV in 2002. The acquisition made LiveTV a wholly owned JetBlue subsidiary, but the company continued to serve airline customers beyond its parent. Its headquarters were located in Melbourne, Florida, where engineering, finance, marketing, and sales functions were based. The company also maintained an aviation-related facility near Orlando International Airport and had offices or operations associated with locations including Calgary, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Long Beach, New York, and Oakland. During the JetBlue period, LiveTV expanded its interest from entertainment to aircraft communications. In June 2006, it won a 1 MHz frequency block in an FCC auction for 800 MHz air-to-ground telephone services. The allocation could have supported aircraft-to-ground communications, although detailed deployment plans were not publicly established in the available account. In 2008, LiveTV planned a move from several buildings in Melbourne's Gateway Business Center to a larger facility in the Airport Commercial Park. Local, county, and state incentives helped retain the headquarters in Melbourne rather than allowing a possible relocation to Orlando. The company also pursued broadband connectivity through satellite technology. JetBlue entered a memorandum of understanding with ViaSat in 2010 to equip 160 aircraft. In March 2011, LiveTV announced plans to install ViaSat Ka-band Wi-Fi on more than 200 United Airlines aircraft, demonstrating that its business was no longer limited to television and conventional entertainment systems. In March 2014, Reuters reported that Thales would acquire LiveTV from JetBlue. The transaction was completed in June 2014 for $399 million in cash. The sale transferred LiveTV into Thales's aviation technology portfolio and ended its period as an independent JetBlue-owned business. Available reference material does not establish a later standalone corporate identity or a continuing independent LiveTV brand, so the brand is classified as defunct as a separate company.

• 2014

  Thales completes acquisition

  [1]LiveTVen.wikipedia.org

  Thales completed its purchase of LiveTV from JetBlue for $399 million in cash.

• 2011

  United connectivity program announced

  [1]LiveTVen.wikipedia.org

  LiveTV announced the installation of ViaSat Ka-band Wi-Fi on more than 200 United Airlines aircraft.

• 2008

  Melbourne headquarters relocation

  [1]LiveTVen.wikipedia.org

  After receiving public incentives, LiveTV proceeded with plans to move its headquarters to a larger facility in Melbourne's Airport Commercial Park.

• 2006

  LiveTV obtains FCC spectrum

  [1]LiveTVen.wikipedia.org

  The company won a 1 MHz block in an FCC auction for 800 MHz air-to-ground communications.

• 2002

  JetBlue acquires LiveTV

  [1]LiveTVen.wikipedia.org

  LiveTV became a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways Corporation.

• 1998

  LiveTV joint venture is formed

  [1]LiveTVen.wikipedia.org

  Harris Corporation and BE Aerospace formed LiveTV to complete development and commercialize satellite-based live television for commercial aircraft.

• 1992

  Harris explores commercial aircraft television

  [1]LiveTVen.wikipedia.org

  Harris Corporation contacted In-Flight Phone to investigate the potential use of communications technology for commercial aircraft entertainment and communications.

A specialized business-to-business aviation technology provider focused on live television, in-flight entertainment, and aircraft connectivity rather than a consumer-facing television network.

• In-flight entertainment

  LiveTV in-flight television system

  LiveTV's signature product was an aircraft entertainment system that distributed live television through satellite communications to passenger seats. It was designed for commercial airline fleets and formed the core of the company's identity in the in-flight entertainment market. The system could be integrated with seat-back displays and airline cabin equipment, allowing carriers to offer live programming during flight.

• In-flight entertainment

  Satellite radio and movie programming

  Beyond live television, LiveTV systems supported additional passenger entertainment, including XM Satellite Radio and movie programming. These services broadened the platform from a single live-TV application into a more complete seat-back entertainment proposition for airline customers.

• Passenger information system

  Flight-tracking display

  LiveTV equipment could provide flight-tracking information to passengers, allowing them to view the aircraft's location and route during a journey. This feature complemented the company's entertainment services and used the aircraft display system for informational content.

• Aircraft connectivity · 2011

  ViaSat Ka-band aircraft Wi-Fi installation

  LiveTV expanded into broadband connectivity by supporting installations using ViaSat Ka-band satellite service. The best-documented program involved more than 200 United Airlines aircraft and represented a shift toward high-speed internet access as part of the company's aviation technology portfolio.

• 2014

  Sell LiveTV to ThalesM&A

  Background

  JetBlue elected to sell its aviation entertainment and connectivity subsidiary to a larger aerospace and defense technology group.

  Action taken

  Thales acquired LiveTV in a cash transaction completed in June 2014.

  Aftermath

  LiveTV ceased to be an independent JetBlue-owned company and became part of Thales's aviation systems activities.

  Acquisition price. $399 million cash consideration (Transaction completed June 2014)

  Source

• 2011

  Expand from television into satellite Wi-FiProduct launch

  Background

  Airlines were beginning to add passenger internet access alongside traditional seat-back entertainment.

  Action taken

  LiveTV announced plans to install ViaSat Ka-band connectivity on more than 200 United Airlines aircraft.

  Aftermath

  The announcement positioned LiveTV as an aircraft connectivity integrator as well as an entertainment-system supplier.

  Source

• 2002

  JetBlue acquires LiveTVM&A

  Background

  LiveTV had developed a specialized platform for airline entertainment and communications.

  Action taken

  JetBlue Airways Corporation acquired the company and made it a wholly owned subsidiary.

  Aftermath

  LiveTV continued supplying aviation systems while operating under JetBlue ownership.

  Source

• 1998

  Create a joint venture to commercialize satellite televisionStrategy

  Background

  Harris had developed the technology after working with In-Flight Phone, but In-Flight Phone's bankruptcy left development costs unpaid and complicated the project's ownership and financing.

  Action taken

  Harris and BE Aerospace formed LiveTV to complete development and bring in-seat satellite television to commercial airline fleets.

  Aftermath

  The joint venture became a significant supplier in the aircraft in-flight entertainment market.

  Source

• 2021.10.18

  Reported2021.10.18

  TELEV8 announces launch of LiveTV platform[2]TELEV8宣布推出LiveTV平台prnewswire.com

  TELEV8 announced the launch of its inaugural LiveTV product at HITEC in Dallas. The platform provides app-based TV content delivery for hotels and was made available within major US markets.

Read more

1. 1LiveTVen.wikipedia.org
2. 2TELEV8宣布推出LiveTV平台prnewswire.com