DirecTV's New Hotel Lineup Also Includes An Anti-Germ Remote

Talk about a strange way to introduce a product. We're all about health and hygiene, but health and consumer electronics don't often go together without an infomercial being involved. However, DirecTV's latest offering combines the two quite interestingly, and those who travel often will no doubt appreciate the gesture. The company's Residential Experience for Hotels offers more than just 100+ HD channels. It also provides the first anti-microbial remote designed specifically for DirecTV for use in the lodging industry.

The world's largest pay-TV company is looking to seriously upgrade TV service within hotels, expand the HD offerings and bring along -- yes -- a sanitized remote. The Residential Experience for Hotels is currently testing in select properties across the country and will launch later this summer, but who knows if this magical remote will start to ship in consumer boxes, too. Keep those dirty digits ready -- you never know when your remote will be the cleaner of the two.

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.