Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Mercedes-Benz for the automaker to include RIDEVU, SPE’s entertainment service for best-in-class in-car entertainment, in its vehicles.

Created and led by SPE’s New Media Distribution team, RIDEVU will enrich the Mercedes-Benz entertainment bundle by providing users with advanced controls and features designed for the car, enabling consumers to conveniently view curated content as well as rent or purchase from SPE’s library of films directly from their vehicles. Titles, which are subject to change, include Jumanji: The Next Level, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and The Equalizer 3.

Mercedes-Benz consumers will be able to take advantage of RIDEVU’s elevated in-car experience with features such as:

The most advanced in-car video playback, allowing content to be streamed synchronously on up to six different in-car screens or personal devices or watched independently on each device

Easy-to-access parental controls from the vehicle dashboard

Unique service controls for all screens

Compatibility with Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, and Linux, among others, regardless of the connected device network

“Our work to advance in-vehicle entertainment is taking a significant step forward as RIDEVU, the first dedicated video service for the automotive market, expands its reach to include Mercedes-Benz vehicles,” said Pete Wood, SVP, Digital Sales, Distribution, SPE. “We are excited to help drive the future of automotive entertainment, blending cutting-edge technology seamlessly with the power and connectivity of modern vehicles. SPE is proud to collaborate with Mercedes Benz, shaping a new horizon for innovative video services that redefine the way we experience journeys on the road.”

“With Sony Pictures Entertainment’s RIDEVU content streaming service, our customers will have direct access to a phenomenal range of award-winning feature films and television series,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management and Chief Technology Officer at Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “This further reinforces our desire to elevate the user experience and deliver unrivalled in-car entertainment.”

SPE is also entering into an agreement with Xperi to offer RIDEVU via DTS AutoStage Video Service powered by Tivo™. The global video platform brings an award-winning, content-first experience to the connected car, delivering free premium content across live TV, news, sports, movies and more. With the integration of RIDEVU eligible consumers will have access to SPE’s vast catalogue of titles and enjoy a personalized viewing experience tailored to their tastes, empowering them to choose what they want to watch.

RIDEVU was first revealed in January 2023 at CES in the AFEELA Prototype from Sony Honda Mobility, a joint venture between Sony and Honda.

RIDEVU is powered by the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud. The platform will also offer consumers immersive sound through DTS audio. RIDEVU can support up to 4K resolution, subject to vehicle capability.

(Source: Sony)