KVH Link is now available to commercial vessels and their crew via three convenient, affordable delivery options, contributing to crew well-being and retention
KVH Industries, Inc. today announced that its award-winning KVH Link Content Service is now available via three secure, versatile options – over-the-air via virtually any satcom or cellular network, secure USB drive, and data-free delivery via KVH’s global VSAT service. As a result, commercial vessel and fleet operators enjoy multiple options to boost crew wellbeing and morale with the delivery of KVH Link’s best-in-class content, including hundreds of blockbuster movies, TV series, daily print and TV news, sports, karaoke, and more plus entertainment.
“For more than 70 years, KVH Link has been building valuable connections to home and improving morale for commercial maritime crews,” states Jamie Broadbent, KVH’s Director of Account Management. “KVH’s unmatched selection of content is a vital tool for improving crew retention by offering entertainment and news to seafarers, both in a social setting and individually anywhere at sea. We are pleased to expand our delivery choices to bring this content on board, with options to fit every vessel’s budget and delivery preferences.”
KVH Link offers flexibility in delivery as well as consumption of content. KVH Link’s new over-the-air service for the linkHUB Media Server, enables vessels to receive daily news, sports, and entertainment updates via virtually any onboard network, including VSAT, Starlink, OneWeb, or 5G/cellular, among others. For vessels that elect not to receive daily updates, their linkHUB Media Server can be updated with movies and TV programs regularly via secure data drives shipped to the vessel’s next port of call. Lastly, vessels equipped with the KVH ONE® global HTS network and VSAT terminals, can enjoy data-free delivery with no impact on their operational data use.
Content is stored onboard either in the linkHUB Media Server or a KVH TracNet™ or TracPhone® belowdeck unit for all crew to access on the TV in the crew mess, on laptops, tablets, or cell phones. And because all content is stored onboard, the viewing experience on the modern, mobile-friendly user interface is outstanding with no download lag, buffering, or jitter.
KVH Link content includes hundreds of daily news stories, clips, television shows, early release movies, classics from Hollywood to Bollywood, independent studio films, sports coverage, music radio, karaoke, and trending social videos. Recognizing the diversity among seafarers, daily news is available in more than 20 languages with country-specific editions while TV news is available in 9 languages. Blockbuster movies are also available with subtitles in 9 languages.
Cost-effective bundles allow ship managers to meet crew preferences and company budgetary requirements. Plus, KVH Link content is licensed from copyright holders with permission for onboard viewing.
“Cybersecurity is a major concern to today’s shipping companies, and our customers can feel confident about KVH Link and its delivery methods,” adds Broadbent. “By offering an alternative to crew bringing unauthorized content or media drives on board, KVH Link content service helps reduce the risk of cyber threats as our three delivery options – over-the-air, secure USB drive, and data-free delivery – are convenient and cyber secure.”
