Honda and AT&T to Offer Expanded in-car Entertainment Options Via the WarnerMedia RIDE App

author: FutureCar Staff    

As automakers build more vehicles that offer internet connectivity, there is a growing list of companies lining up to provide premium in-car services, such as streaming music providers, movies and TV shows to keep passengers entertained.

Now just in time for summer road trips as pandemic restrictions are lifting across the U.S., Honda Motor Co and its luxury division Acura have teamed up with AT&T in a new partnership to provide more entertainment options for passengers. 

The expanded entertainment services will be provided through the WarnerMedia RIDE app, which will be included free of charge for Honda and Acura vehicle owners that are subscribers of AT&T's unlimited In-car Wi-Fi plan.  

With access to the WArnerMEdia RIDE app, passengers traveling in select 2018 newer Honda and Acura vehicles including the Accord, Odyssey, Pilot, will be able to watch hit TV shows and movies from top brands such as Cartoon Network, CNN, HBO Max, TBS, TNT and TruTV, covering entertainment, news, sports and more.

The app allows passengers to browse, stream and share premium content from the vast WarnerMedia library while on the road. It offers access to over 1,000 hours of live and on-demand entertainment while on the road. 

The unlimited in-car WiFi plan offered by AT&T turns a vehicle into a mobile hotspot and allows passengers to connect up to ten devices to a vehicle. Plans start at $20 a month. 

"Wireless connectivity and connected car services continue to be key features for customers and our long-standing relationship with AT&T continues to be one way we deliver exciting new content to Honda and Acura owners," said Art St. Cyr, vice president of North American Auto Strategy for American Honda. "Honda will continue working to enhance the in-car experience, including the capabilities of the AT&T network and access to top content with WarnerMedia RIDE."

A rear entertainment screen in the 2019 Honda Odyssey minivan.

Honda and Acura owners have been able to turn their vehicles into Wi-Fi hotspots connecting up to seven mobile devices since 2017, when the first connected Honda vehicles were offered by the company. Other vehicles that can serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot include models from 25 automakers, including Ford Motor Co, General Motors, Audi, BMW and Toyota.

In the newly updated WarnerMedia RIDE app, Honda and Acura vehicle owners can set up multiple profiles and personalize each with avatars from the WarnerMedia library. Supporting seperate profiles also ensures that passengers can only access age-appropriate content. Owners can also restrict access to the profiles using an access code. 

"We're always looking for new and innovative ways to elevate the connected car experience for our customers. With WarnerMedia RIDE, we are delivering a connected experience that's perfect for journeys," said Joe Mosele, vice president, Mobility & Internet of Things, AT&T. "Our collaboration is keeping Honda and Acura owners connected wherever they travel with hours of news and entertainment for the whole family."

The WarnerMedia RIDE app is available for Apple and Android devices for unlimited data plan subscribers. The app automatically detects the presence of AT&T in-car Wi-Fi without the need to log in, so its simple for passengers to connect and access the entertainment options. 

For safety while driving, the WarnerMedia RIDE entertainment app is intended for passenger use only when a vehicle is in operation. 

FutureCar Staff