United Airlines adds live football streaming via Starlink

United Airlines has introduced live football streaming for passengers via Starlink-enabled seatback screens, beginning this week. The service, announced by EchoStar Corporation, offers access to nine live sports channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, NFL Network, and TNF. The streaming feature launched on over 200 United mainline aircraft this week and will expand to nearly 700 planes by February 2027.

The technology combines DISH's OnStream platform with United's Starlink connectivity. Amir Ahmed, Executive Vice President of Video Services at EchoStar, stated that the aim is to "rewrite the inflight playbook," ensuring passengers can enjoy their favorite teams' games, whether on the ground or cruising at 35,000 feet. EchoStar Corporation, the provider of this technology, also operates a range of brands in technology, networking services, television entertainment, and connectivity.