The Houston-based airline said the programming will be available on U.S. flights at every seat on next-generation aircraft. Continental said LiveTV is testing Wi-Fi connectivity services that will allow access to email and instant messaging. LiveTV's Wi-Fi service would give customers the ability to use Wi-Fi enabled smartphones, BlackBerrys and laptops. Unlike the satellite television service, Internet access will be free for all passengers, said Continental public-relations director Julie King.

LiveTV services are already being used on JetBlue's aircraft, and are also available on WestJet, Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc., Virgin Blue and AirTran. Also, Southwest Airlines Co. said earlier this month it would test Internet connectivity on four aircraft this summer.

Continental will offer various channels from DirectTV Group Inc. that are expected to include CBS, NBC, FOX News, CNN Headline News, ESPN, Animal Planet, The History Channel, Food Network, Nickelodeon and MTV. The inflight entertainment system will also offer a moving map and other stored informational and entertainment content.

Continental will continue to install satellite television and Wi-Fi equipment on aircraft through 2009, and expects to have 225 aircraft able to provide the entertainment package by the end of 2010. [WSJ/FierceBroadbandWireless]