All cars need to be serviced now and then—whether it’s a routine oil change, warranty work, or body repairs. To customers, the most difficult part of auto service is often the time spent in the waiting room with a TV that drones on with gloomy news or daytime television programs. To the dealer, that same TV can create a negative environment for its best customers—and sometimes even display a competitor’s ads.

But now, thanks to Automotive Broadcasting Network™ (ABN), all that is changing. During a time when the auto industry is experiencing tough challenges, ABN is bringing a bright spot to automotive dealerships across the U.S. with entertaining and informative video content in waiting rooms and showrooms.

High-Quality Programming

ABN, a private auto retail television network powered by HughesNet^® Managed Digital Services, has partnered with CBS Television Network to provide high-quality, family-friendly programming, including shows such as 60 Minutes, Entertainment Tonight, and other programs that are normally not available during the business day.

The ABN service also provides interesting vehicle profiles, called Walk Arounds, which showcase the latest model cars offered by the manufacturers the dealer represents. And Tech Tips are engaging spots on practical topics, such as how to know when to replace tires, the importance of tightening the gas cap, and how to get the best gas mileage. Dealerships can even create their own content with spots that highlight offerings such as on-site detailing services or a special deal on service, parts, or auto body work, which can drive incremental revenue.

Satellite: The Ideal Transport

To distribute its ground-breaking broadcast service, ABN is using HughesNet Managed Digital Media Services, a turnkey solution that includes design, broadband transport for content distribution, hardware, software, installation, and maintenance. ABN selected satellite as the ideal transport because of its cost-effective multicast capability coupled with its ability to reach every dealership in the country. In addition, as a managed service, HughesNet takes the network management burden off of ABN, enabling the company to focus on its core business—broadcasting.

A subscription-based service that is currently deployed in 33 states, ABN provides the dealer with not only quality programming, but also an effective way to control its environment and present branding and call-to-action messages to a captive audience. This helps dealerships boost sales, improve the customer experience, and build customer loyalty during what is typically a 90-minute waiting period.

“The CBS viewing experience is the perfect platform for ABN’s unique business proposition because we are supplying rich content that is sure to engage the dealership visitor,” said George Schweitzer, president, CBS Marketing. “In turn, ABN is providing an excellent new outlet for CBS video programming and expanding our reach in an area we consider significant—the fast-growing digital ‘out-ofhome’ media category.”

The Customer Experience

Jerry Daniels, ABN founder and CEO, likens the auto dealership experience to a theme park where nothing happens by accident. Message, theme, offerings—and therefore the customer experience—are all controlled by the park. “Attitude is everything,” said Daniels. “By controlling what customers see and experience, ABN helps auto dealerships create a positive customer experience and, at the same time, take advantage of a built-in opportunity to upsell goods and services.”

Now, with ABN’s innovative broadcasting solution delivered over HughesNet, customers who wait for their cars to be serviced can watch quality programming that makes the time seem to go by faster—and who knows? They might just check out the latest models for sale, or even heed that helpful reminder to check the windshield wipers.