Free to guest video has a history of being a moving target of perfection. If you have the right channel lineup it’s too expensive, if you save money, you don’t have the right channels. Finding that balance was always difficult.
DirecTV is introducing the “home experience” which may change everything from technology to decision making moving forward. Under the new plan DirecTV will not require Pro:Idiom. Instead they will use a small set top box that can go behind the TV are behind the furniture. Because they TV can pass through the remote signal, the box does not have to be visible. By not requiring Pro:iDiom, a hotel could save $150 per TV.
The most intriguing part of the new product is the channel lineup. Roughly 120 HD channels and 100 analog channels for $12 per room per month (3yr) and $10 per room per month (5yr) delivered to your guest room with no Pro:iDiom required.
Drawbacks? Yes, the same as HD cable TV providers, your cabling. Hotels will need to have the proper cable infrastructure with the least amount of splits along the deliver path. Most hotels will not have an issue but the older hotels with older cabling that’s been repaired multiple times may have issues turning up this service in all their rooms.
The most important piece of this new product is competition. Cable companies are sure to react and quickly match or beat the lineup and pricing. Given the decline of in room media, saving money and increasing our options is always a good formula for success.