DirecTV takes the germs out of your hotel remote, bed still questionable
Hotel rooms are gross. Well, some of 'em are. It doesn't take a germaphobe to know that your room's previous occupant may have had less-than-ideal hygienic priorities, so it'll probably come as a great relief to you frequent flier types that DirecTV has decided to do something about it. Bundled into its new Residential Experience for Hotels program is a proprietary germ-free remote control for every room. That's all well, clean and good, but what makes this experience even homier are the 100+ HD channels DirecTV added so you can make heavy use of that enhanced interactive program guide. Yessir, now you can watch HBO and, erm, 'adult offerings' without ever having to wash your hands; the new service is currently in testing with an intended launch for later this summer. It remains to be seen whether the EPA will swoop down to backhand DirecTV for dubious anti-microbial claims like it did IO Gear some years back. In the meantime, it's a solid sanitary high-five for the hospitality industry.
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June 20, 2011 12:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time
DIRECTV Debugs the Television Remote – Germ-Free HD Coming Soon to a Hotel Room Near You
DIRECTV Introduces 'Residential Experience' for Hotels – 10 Times More HD; Interactive Program Guide; Full Residential Lineup; First Anti-Microbial Remote Designed by DIRECTV for Lodging Industry
HITEC 2011
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DIRECTV, the world's largest pay-TV provider, is changing the way hotel guests experience their favorite movies, shows and news programs, all while removing the invisible germs usually found on TV remotes.
"With approximately 20 percent of hotels currently offering HD service to their guests, we expect this new service to significantly expand the HD offering in this market with the added benefit of a sanitized remote."
DIRECTV's innovative new Residential Experience for Hotels will transport the living room experience into the hotel room with more than 100 HD channels, an enhanced interactive program guide, the full residential programming lineup, and the first anti-microbial remote designed by DIRECTV specifically for the lodging and hospitality industry.
The DIRECTV Residential Experience for Hotels is currently testing in select properties across the country and will launch later this summer. The DIRECTV service delivers the programming to compact, easily hidden set-top boxes in each hotel room so that guests can enjoy the same great DIRECTV experience they get at home. Additional benefits of the system include:
Interactive program guide – DIRECTV's co-branded interactive programming guide offers easy navigation and search functionality, just like at home. During testing, 96 percent of guests said it was easy to navigate the new DIRECTV Residential Experience guide.
Expanded HD channel offering – Guests gain access to up to 10 times more of their favorite HD programming, with more than 100 HD channels including CNN, ESPN and HBO.
Simplified, germ-free remote – Updated remote offers simple, intuitive design and the first anti-microbial remote designed by DIRECTV specifically for the lodging and hospitality industry.
No upfront equipment costs – Cost-effective, scalable technology solutions to fit each property's unique needs.
"We understand consumers want the same programming diversity and ease-of-use they have at home while they're travelling, and DIRECTV's Residential Experience for Hotels will deliver those same features and benefits right into the hotel room," said Rod Keller, vice president of Commercial Sales for DIRECTV. "With approximately 20 percent of hotels currently offering HD service to their guests, we expect this new service to significantly expand the HD offering in this market with the added benefit of a sanitized remote."
DIRECTV's Residential Experience for Hotels will be introduced at the HITEC conference in Austin, Texas, which runs from June 20-23 at the Austin Convention Center. The service will be available to hoteliers across the country beginning later this summer.
DIRECTV's service for lodging and institutions provides guests with free-to-guest programming in hotels, motels, hospitals, dormitories and nursing homes with the choice of a package or an a la carte basis. DIRECTV's single-dish solution enables properties to install one mini-dish per rooftop, and if a property is already wired for video distribution, installation is that much easier. For more information on DIRECTV for hotels or other businesses, please visit directv.com/business.
