A communication system comprises an onboard server situated onboard a mobile platform and a remote server situated outside the mobile platform. The remote server is configured to generate one or more linear media channels for use by the onboard server. The communication system further comprises a virtual media client situated onboard the mobile platform. The virtual media client is configured to receive linear media channels from the onboard server and transmit performance data to the onboard server. The onboard server is configured to receive one or more media requests from a plurality of user media clients onboard the mobile platform. The one or more media requests specify one or more linear media channels. The onboard server is further configured to receive the one or more linear media channels from the remote server, provide the one or more linear media channels to the plurality of user media clients according to the received one or more media requests, provide at least a first linear media channel of the one or more media channels to the virtual media client; and receive a first set of performance data associated with the first linear media channel from the virtual media client.