Outfit Wants to Pump TV Into Gas Stations

Next-generation TV services emphasize the ability to get television anywhere, and now that may extend to the gas pump.

Start-up Gas Station TV last week announced its executive leadership and launched its Internet-protocol digital network, with plans to install 20-inch HDTV screens on gas-station pumps nationwide. The screens will provide motorists an array of ad-supported network-television programming while they fuel up their Fords and Chevys.

GSTV estimated that it takes the average motorist four minutes to fill up their gas tanks, so the programming will be geared to fit that time frame. The fare will include national ABC content including News You Can Use segments, as well as local news, AccuWeather Inc. forecasts and traffic from ABC affiliates.

ABC’s new-media sales group will provide marketing to the ad community for GSTV, as well as overseeing the network’s promotional initiatives.

GSTV is also working on its plan to install its systems in gas stations, and on that front, it forged partnerships with gas-station retailer Murphy Oil Corp., gas-pump-equipment supplier Gilbarco Inc. and outdoor digital-display provider Delphi Display Systems.

At the same time, GSTV also named its new executive team, including Yahoo! Inc. executive Dave Leider, CEO; former Ford Motor Co. executive Stephen Kuehn, chief financial officer; and former The WB executive Adam Bleibtreu, president.

"We are creating the most valuable, out-of-home digital network with the greatest entertainment value for customers and significant return on investment for advertisers," Leider said.