SIOUX FALLS, S.D — Leading hotel room pay-per-view supplier LodgeNet announced partnerships with LG Electronics, Philips and Panasonic to produce a high-definition TV built-in with the ability to support high-definition free-to-guest (FTG) programming and video-on-demand (VOD) for hotels.
The plug-and-play televisions will be manufactured with pre-bundled LodgNet and OnCommand systems. Hoteliers will not be required to purchase additional hardware or software.
"We're seeing an accelerated demand for HDTV from our lodging customers and expect this trend to continue throughout 2008 as major hotel chains ramp up their HD roll-outs," said Ron Snaidauf, vice president, commercial products for LG Electronics USA Inc.
"LG is a leader in flat-panel HDTVs for hotels and resorts, and LodgeNet's specialized knowledge regarding HD needs in the hospitality industry makes them an ideal partner," Snaidauf added. "We look forward to expanding our long-term relationship to continue to deliver wide-scale HD deployments across hotel brands."
The move reinforces the demand for high-definition products from mainstream and adult production companies.
“The recent developments within the LodgeNet corporation are a positive one for us,” Steven Vlottes, vice president of international sales and licensing for Wicked Pictures, told XBIZ. “Adult consumers want to see our product in high-definition. And we’ve maintained a long, successful relationship with LodgeNet because of our high-quality products and the fact that we shoot in high-definition.”
The plug-and-play televisions are designed to lower total solution cost, enable faster room openings, shorten the time of rooms out of service and enhance total system performance for hoteliers.
LodgeNet Entertainment Corp. is a publicly held corporation that provides media and connectivity services in 1.9 million hotel rooms for the hospitality industry.
According to Birds-Eye.Net, a company that tracks broadband statistics, 40 percent of U.S. households own a high-definition television.
