Tallahassee, FL 11/8/11 (StreetBeat) --LodgeNet Interactive Corporation (Nasdaq: LNET), the leading provider of interactive media and connectivity services to hospitality and healthcare businesses and the consumers they serve, has cracked the code on hotel guest viewing preferences. LodgeNet's suite of server-based interactive television channels – called "Guest Choice" – provides guests with premium HD programming, exclusive to hotels, that is often preferred over traditional cable networks. Programming varies by channel, region and type of hotel and is free to hotels and guests. The latest addition to the "Guest Choice" lineup is "City Eye," a hosted exploration of the hottest trends in fashion, music, local restaurants, nightlife and more. The channel – currently airing in select cities including New York and Miami – is backed in part by Robert Earl, international entrepreneur and owner of Planet Hollywood. According to hotel room set-top box data analyzed and reported by Nielsen, "City Eye" is more popular than a majority of cable channels. In July 2011, it was the 11th most popular channel in terms of total reach in LodgeNet hotels.
Another audience favorite is "The Premiere Channel, powered by Reelz," which offers movie reviews, actor interviews, and red carpet coverage of Hollywood events and beyond. ReelzChannel, a cable network dedicated to all things movies, co-produces the channel specifically for hotel guests staying in LodgeNet served hotels. Other channel genres available to hotels include entertainment and fashion, health and wellness and a shopping channel specifically for travelers.
"With over 6.7 million viewers, on average, per month, 'Guest Choice' programming is a top destination for hotel guests," says Darla Schultz, Senior Vice President of VOD Specialty Content and Distribution for LodgeNet. "We very thoughtfully pair the programming to the hotel, the location, and the mindset of the traveler. As we continue to learn guests' tastes and identify quality programmers, we are able to drive viewership levels even higher. Travelers often have a different mindset when away from home and they are interested in exploring different programming and entertainment options."
Hotels have up to four "Guest Choice" channels, which are inserted into their free-to-guest cable lineup and offer substantial revenue sharing opportunities for hotel partners. In addition, many of these channels have a Free On Demand counterpart via LodgeNet's interactive TV (iTV) system. In these cases, when guests watch a "Guest Choice" channel, they can "telescope" directly into the Free On Demand area to watch additional content free of charge.
Some specialty content is video on demand only and, unlike in-home systems, easily accessible via the Main Menu of the LodgeNet iTV system. In 2010, Free On Demand had over 3.4 million plays in hotel guest rooms due to its breadth of content specifically tailored to traveling audiences. One of the newest additions to this area is Kiplinger's Personal Finance – a trusted brand for personal finance and business management content. Starting this month, guests can access long-form content from Kiplinger's "Practical Money Advice" collection. The content is updated every month with a new theme (for example, year-end tax tips in December).
Other Free On Demand programming regularly includes season premieres of popular network and cable series. LodgeNet's iTV platform and Free On Demand service have proven to be an exceptional combination for new show "sampling", with research confirming very high viewership as well as high conversion rates when viewers return home. "Mad Men" launched in this manner and has returned year after year. Other examples in the past few months include "New Girl" and "Terra Nova" from FOX, and AMC's "Breaking Bad."
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