American Airlines Streams Willie Nelson Concert Live In Flight
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American Airlines offered an Austin City Limits concert, featuring Willie Nelson, on flights equipped with Wi-Fi provided by Viasat, marking the first time the airline streamed an event live in flight.
Passengers flying with American Airlines on November 19 were treated to a live-streamed Austin City Limits show featuring Willie Nelson. The event, which was filmed at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, marked the 15th time the artist has been featured on the television series, as well as the first time the airline streamed an event live in flight.
Customers tuned in by clicking on Willie Nelson banner ads on the airline’s Wi-Fi portal. The show was replayed for the next 24 hours on flights equipped with connectivity.
“This was a very intimate and exclusive event and something that most people would not have had access to.” – Vy Duong, American Airlines
“This is proof of the quality of our new high-speed Wi-Fi, provided by Viasat, and our ongoing improvements to, and investments in, the in-flight experience,” said Vy Duong, project manager, Inflight Entertainment Promotions, American Airlines. “These customers were able to experience a live show just as they would have been able to if they were actually there. Because tickets to the Austin City Limits live tapings cannot be purchased, this was a very intimate and exclusive event and something that most people would not have had access to.”
American Airlines has exclusive rights to air Austin City Limits content in flight until early 2020, after extending the original agreement by one year. Global entertainment and media agency Spafax initiated the partnership and American negotiated the agreements with Austin City Limits and KLRU in April of this year.