United Airlines and DIRECTV Team Up to Stream Live TV - Including Live Sports - on Starlink-Enabled Seatback Screens This Summer
United Airlines is partnering with DIRECTV to bring live streaming TV — including sports — to seatback screens on Starlink-enabled aircraft this summer. Between now and July 20, 2026, passengers on up to 150 planes will be able to watch free live channels such as FOX, ESPN, ABC, CBS, NBC, TNT, CNN, and BBC. This means travelers can catch major soccer matches and other live events mid-flight, powered by Starlink’s high-speed inflight Wi-Fi. Highlights: - Free access to more than a dozen live channels. - Coverage includes sports, news, weather, business, and entertainment. - Starlink Wi-Fi is already active on 400+ United aircraft, with plans to expand fleet-wide by 2027. - United’s Chief Commercial Officer emphasized this as a step toward dynamic, real-time inflight entertainment, moving beyond static on-demand screens. - Technology behind it: Viasat Live TV and Thales 360 apps, streaming via Starlink connectivity.
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