Bus TV

This will be either very helpful or very annoying to bus riders. The MTA, which started installing flat-screen TVs on buses last year, now plans to pipe-in programming from KNBC, KVEA and KWHY. According to CNS:

Passengers on Metro buses can now watch three NBC- operated television stations, via Transit TV. The televisions on the 2,200 Metro buses feature news, weather and sports provided by KNBC, KVEA and KWHY. "Transit TV’s network offers us a unique way to expose our stations’ brands and promote our programming to as many people as possible," said Ginger Zumaeta, vice president of advertising and promotion for the three stations. Transit TV screens were installed on Metro buses last year and provide riders with 48 minutes of content ever hour. Under the new agreement, which took effect this month, the Los Angeles-area NBC stations will provide five minutes of content every hour in English and Spanish.

 

Comments

[Hayley]

Until a recent move, I regularly took the MetroRapid Wilshire bus. The tvs are the worst. I actually would hope for an old bus, so I wouldn't have to be on a bus with a tv. There is no escape from the noise and it is pretty much impossible to read. Maybe if they put the tvs in the front, but they are everywhere. Or if there were an on/off switch or even an ability to turn down the volume. They are really horrible. There must be some other way to support the bus system other than torturing the riders.

[Steve Cohen]

I mostly travel by bicycle and car, but recently tried the bus for a trip where it seemed appropriate. I figured it would offer the same advantages that it does in NY where I grew up, namely, a chance to get away from the tension and need to focus that driving entails. I also thought it would be a good chance to read.

Not so! There's way too much media on the bus -- piped in radio and several TVs all make it impossible to concentrate or do anything so last century as READ.

I find all this media intrusive and a real disincentive to public transit. It might produce some revenue for the city, but the commercialism and the fact that I can't escape it, really turns me off.