DIRECTV Innovates as In-Room Features Gain Popularity

In preparation for Cyber HITEC 2020, Hotel Business spoke with Kim Twiggs, assistant VP, market development, Commercial Lodging & Institutions, DIRECTV, about some of the company’s most recent creative solutions. Twiggs walked us through not only what’s new for DIRECTV, but about some trends that are taking over hospitality entertainment, especially as COVID-19 has hoteliers rethinking in-room features:

What’s new for DIRECTV in the hospitality space? What are some of your most recent innovations?
DIRECTV recently launched the Advanced Entertainment Product (AEP), which is now our premier video platform, with a combination of features that don’t exist anywhere else in the industry. We’ve combined the best of live satellite programming with over-the-top DIRECTV On Demand content from nearly 50 programmers, including SHOWTIME, into a single product for the ultimate hospitality entertainment solution. DIRECTV’s Android-based solution makes it easier than ever before for guests to watch whatever they want, whenever they want, in their hotel room.

How is hospitality entertainment changing? What should hotel owners and operators be looking for?
OTT content is certainly changing the landscape, which is why AEP is such an important product for the hotel space. Cost-effective, live, linear programming will continue to be important for guests to have access to the most up to date news, sports and information. But providing thousands of On Demand options from the top networks allows hoteliers to provide additional entertainment options without additional capital expense and complexity.

Why do DIRECTV’s services work so well with hotel guests? What makes your services unique and efficient?
DIRECTV continues to prove that we are committed to innovation and technology leadership in the hotel space. Through strategic partnerships and many years of ongoing dialogue with our hotel partners, we ensure that our product roadmap provides answers and solutions that directly address their guest satisfaction requirements. The DIRECTV Residential Experience, COM3000 and Advanced Entertainment Platform solutions are all the outcome of feedback from the industry’s top hoteliers, resulting in the most guest-centric, easy to use, cost-effective hotel entertainment experiences available today.

What entertainment trends are you noticing in hotels? How are you preparing for those?
As a result of the pandemic, hoteliers are actively evaluating in-room entertainment options along with many other value-driven products and services in the guest room to determine the best path forward for cost consolidation and financial endurance. DIRECTV is committed to being an engaged and supportive partner in the hotel space, coming up with new, creative solutions and business models to continue to deliver valuable and essential television content to hotel guest rooms as we navigate these uncertain times together.

Is there anything else readers should know about DIRECTV and its services/products?
It really is a great time to sign up for DIRECTV. Right now, new and renewing customers can take advantage of an additional $6,000 equipment subsidy for the Advanced Entertainment Product on top of our everyday “free HD equipment” offer through the end of the year. This limited-time offer makes AEP available to hotels up to 175 rooms for no equipment cost. Hoteliers interested in learning more about this amazing offer can reach out to their preferred DIRECTV dealer or DIRECTV directly for more information.