Perhaps the most significant revelation about Sirius Backseat TV is the content partners. At CES we saw that Cartoon Network was a content partner, but the adding of Nickelodeon and Disney Channel shows that Sirius has a powerhouse of children's programming backing this effort.

That's huge, because Sirius has essentially covered all the bases for the leaders in children's television.

In a statement, Denise Dahldorf, Executive Vice President of MTV Networks Content Distribution and Marketing said, "like all of our MTVN brands, our goal for Nickelodeon is to be everywhere our audiences are, and the launch of Sirius Backseat TV gives kids and families even more screens to interact with us."

"Disney Channel viewers expect to be able to access their favorite shows and stars wherever they are on a wide variety of devices," said Ben Pyne, President of Disney and ESPN Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing.

"Cartoon Network Mobile is a customized programming service designed for the on-the-go mobile lifestyle," said Coleman Breland, Executive Vice President of sales and marketing for Turner Network Sales. "This new venture with Sirius is one we think parents will see the benefits of and represents the next generation of back seat entertainment."

The one-year of free Sirius Backseat TV and free Sirius Satellite Radio is pretty significant as well. Just like satellite radio, I think the Backseat TV product requires consumers to first experience the product before they realize that they want the product. While $470 isn't a cheap offering - that price does include the full year of service as well as the hardware - which might make it an easier sell at the dealership.

My only concern with Sirius Backseat TV: there are tons of ways for a substitutive product to overtake them in the marketplace. Yes, it's live streaming content while on-the-go, but - as the iPod has shown us - people are just as accepting of a cached solution (especially if it's without a monthly charge). With WiFi-enabled households becoming nearly ubiquitous, what's to stop a device to download new programs while your car is parked in the garage? I'm not saying that Sirius Backseat TV doesn't have potential, but ignoring the competitive risks is silly.

But with Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network on their side - as well as the key OEM partnership with Chrysler - Sirius might have a decent jump on the competition as demand for this type of service grows.

Sirius Backseat TV will initially be available in the new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan minivans. Sirius Backseat TV will also be available in the 2008 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Jeep Commander and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

These factory-installed options (MSRP of $470) will include the Sirius Backseat TV receiver plus a one-year subscription to Sirius Backseat TV as well as Sirius Satellite Radio. After the first year, the Sirius Backseat TV subscription price will run you $7/month (but you knew that already) with the regular Sirius Satellite Radio subscription price of $12.95. Sirius Backseat TV is only available to Sirius Satellite Radio subscribers.

An after-market version of the Sirius Backseat TV receiver is expected to become available this summer.

Content partners include Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network. 

The Sirius Backseat TV service will be available to the rear-seats only while driving, but passengers in the front can listen to Sirius Satellite Radio at the same time. When the vehicle is in park though, passengers in the front-seat can watch the video programming if it's equipped with MyGig. Check out hands-on photos of Sirius Backseat TV from earlier this year.

[Sirius.com]
Thanks Nathan!