LodgeNet Expands On-Demand TV Content
LodgeNet Interactive Corporation announces that over the past year it has dramatically increased its content offerings in its digital systems, providing greater choice to guests in over 1.5 million guest rooms. New content added over this time period includes more TV On Demand content, an expanded high-definition (HD) movie selection, more independent films, expanded sports programming, world premieres and custom content selections. This expanded assortment is supported by LodgeNet's industry leading digital media platforms, which have been updated to provide enhanced browsing capabilities in order to improve the overall guest experience. Delivering on the promise of the On Command acquisition to support the development of new, innovative media solutions, LodgeNet can now offer hotel guests more programming choices than ever.
TV On Demand: LodgeNet's "Just Missed TV" service allows viewers to catch their favorite shows on demand, in many cases only a few hours after they air. In the past year, LodgeNet has grown Just Missed TV content offerings by as much as by 25% in hotels with the company's largest capacity systems. Through a recently signed agreement with Disney-ABC Television Group, guests will be able to enjoy on demand episodes of ABC's Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Lost and Ugly Betty. In addition, original movies from Disney Channel (including High School Musical, High School Musical 2 and Camp Rock) will be added to the library of Just Missed TV content.
The Disney-ABC choices - which premiere on LodgeNet systems this month - expand the lineup of Just Missed TV content which already includes programming from NBC Universal (NBC, USA Network, SCI FI Channel, Bravo) and Showtime. Select episodes of hit series have included viewer favorites such as Showtime's Californication and Dexter as well as NBC's Heroes, Kath and Kim, The Office, and 30 Rock. During 2008 more than 400 episodes from 30 different television series were available on demand within hours of airing on broadcast or cable networks.
The Disney-ABC choices - which premiere on LodgeNet systems this month - expand the lineup of Just Missed TV content which already includes programming from NBC Universal (NBC, USA Network, SCI FI Channel, Bravo) and Showtime. Select episodes of hit series have included viewer favorites such as Showtime's Californication and Dexter as well as NBC's Heroes, Kath and Kim, The Office, and 30 Rock. During 2008 more than 400 episodes from 30 different television series were available on demand within hours of airing on broadcast or cable networks.
Expanded HD Movie Selection: LodgeNet continues to add new HD movie content to its offerings, and over the past year, has added HD movie content from MGM/United Artists. As a result, LodgeNet now features premium HD content on demand from the following major studios: HDNet Films, Lionsgate, Magnolia Pictures, MGM/United Artists, Paramount Pictures, including those DreamWorks Animation and DreamWorks titles distributed by Paramount Pictures, Summit Entertainment and Universal Pictures. In the past year, LodgeNet has featured some of Hollywood's hottest films in high definition, including Burn After Reading, Eagle Eye, Mamma Mia!, My Best Friend's Girl, Righteous Kill, Tropic Thunder, Twilight, and Wanted. Nearly one-fourth of the movie titles at hotels equipped with LodgeNet's HD platform are available in HD.
More Independent Films: Adding to its ever expanding list of entertainment options, LodgeNet has increased the number of independent films by 50% in many hotels, including titles from Echo Bridge Entertainment, First Independent Pictures, National Lampoon, Venevision, and others. In addition, Magnolia Pictures is offering select features as world premieres, available in LodgeNet served hotels weeks before they open in theaters. Other movies from Magnolia Pictures and IFC Films are shown on the same day as their release in theaters.
DIRECTV Sports: In addition to its vast array of television and movie options, LodgeNet offers guests a wide variety of sports programming through DIRECTV Sports, which delivered over 6,000 games to fans of the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL over the last year. The package also includes games from CBS College Sports, ESPN FULL COURT and ESPN GamePlan. LodgeNet has increased the size of its DIRECTV Sports footprint in the past year by 50% and now provides live sports action to more than 315,000 rooms.
Public Space Programming: Further extending its relationship with DIRECTV and providing an ongoing array of entertainment beyond the hotel room, LodgeNet signed a public space agreement with DIRECTV for standard and HD content. This will entertain guests while checking in or waiting in the lobby and allows guests to enjoy sports packages in hotel bars and restaurants. LodgeNet has further enhanced its entertainment package by adding over 75 new channels featuring international programming through its partnership with DIRECTV. This content provides an important sense of familiarity to international travelers.
Custom Content Selections: LodgeNet's custom content solutions allow hotels to create a differentiated guest experience through exclusive promotions and custom interfaces that reflect the hotel's brand standards. Over the past year, LodgeNet has partnered with a variety of brands to create custom solutions, including a promotion with Sheraton Hotels & Resorts to help them execute two campaigns for the Showtime series Dexter and The Tudors. Sneak peeks of both hit shows' season premieres were offered on the LodgeNet system before their national debuts.