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WarnerMedia launches new Ride streaming service for in-car entertainment


WarnerMedia has partnered with AT&T to launch a new in-car entertainment streaming service called Ride.

Ride, accessible via an Android and iOS app, is for smartphones and tablets that connect to AT&T's in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspots.

What is Ride?

Ride is the name of WarnerMedia's new streaming service. It is designed to entertain passengers while they are in the car.

The service is launching in partnership with AT&T and will be available free of charge and exclusively to those with AT&T unlimited data connected car plans.

If you're not on this plan, AT&T customers can pay $20 a month to create a portable Wi-Fi hotspot in their car.

Ride will feature news, sports and other content from brands like Bleacher Report, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, TBS, TNT and more. This means shows like Looney Tunes and Rick and Morty will be available to watch on Ride.

You don't need to log in to use the app, as your session will be validated by your car's Wi-Fi connection. Despite this ease of use, you won't be able to download anything for offline viewing. Ride is purely intended as in-car entertainment.

Ride will be available to AT&T in-vehicle wireless subscribers for 27 vehicle brands including Audi, BMW, Ford, Land Rover and Toyota. The lead partner for the launch is General Motors.

In an AT&T press release, Santiago Chamorro, vice president of GM Global Connected Services, said:

Where can I ride?

Ride is available to download now from the App Store and Play Store for iOS and Android respectively.

According to the application page, the requirements to be able to access Ride are as follows:

  • A vehicle eligible for the AT&T in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot
  • A qualifying AT&T trial or unlimited in-car Wi-Fi plan
  • Your device connected to your in-car Wi-Fi hotspot
  • The WarnerMedia Ride app downloaded to your device

For now, the app is the only way to watch Ride. However, WarnerMedia has suggested that it may support other systems, such as dashboard and headrest displays, in the future.

AT&T also supports HBO Max

HBO Max is another streaming service owned by WarnerMedia. AT&T plans to offer HBO Max as part of an automotive data package next year.

It can be difficult to keep up with all the different HBO streaming services — HBO Max offers original HBO shows and movies alongside other WarnerMedia content.