Hotel operators have long focused their technology efforts to improve the guest journey by providing innovative solutions like mobile check-in and checkout, keyless entry and casting.

Increasingly, personalized, innovative in-room entertainment is becoming one of the most important aspects of the guest journey as consumers seek new technologies to further enhance their hotel stays.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

In-room entertainment is one area where hotels were early adopters. Hotels were the first to include entertainment amenities such as satellite and cable television, On Demand movies and internet access.

However, hotel operators cannot afford to remain stagnant with their offerings, particularly when you consider industry trends and the consumer expectations. In 2019, more U.S. households subscribed to a streaming service (69%) than to a traditional TV provider (65%). With the popularity of smartphones and content streaming services at home, guests now want the same experience in their hotel room.

The Casting Revolution

The casting revolution has resulted in a huge opportunity for hotels to enhance the guest experience by personalizing in-room entertainment. The challenge that hotel operators face now is bridging the disconnect between the in-room technology and the entertainment technology that guests bring with them.

The standard in-room TV experience is an HD TV with satellite/cable live TV, but no interactive guide, no streaming and no casting. Yet, guests bring their own smart devices and streaming subscriptions, giving them more flexibility and an array of content offerings. However, the mobile playback experience isn’t for everyone because of the smaller screens.

Hotel operators that can identify an integrated solution to combine casting technology, streaming services and the in-room entertainment hardware onto one user-friendly platform will ultimately inspire guest loyalty. A guest’s stay will be enriched if they have the ability to personalize their in-room entertainment experience, such as accessing their own Netflix accounts directly from the TV or casting their favorite shows, movies and music from their smartphone.

Moving forward, casting will become integral to in-room entertainment, representing the ultimate way for guests to enjoy their favorite content through a simplified, secure and seamless form of connectivity.

Points of Consideration

As hotel operators seek technology solutions to elevate the in-room entertainment experience, there are things they need to consider:

• Installation and Networks: Hotels should consider the implications that advanced entertainment experiences will have on their existing networks, and the potential need to rewire and upgrade equipment.
• Connecting In-Room Entertainment with a Property Management System (PMS): An in-room entertainment technology solution should be customizable and able to connect and communicate directly with a hotel PMS where everything can be managed.
• Consistent Portfolio Experience: The technology solution that a hotel chooses should be a consistent experience across all properties to build brand loyalty from guests. In fact, 72% of guests are likely to return to a hotel if their preferred in-room technology is available.

In this marketplace, hotel operators that are best at reducing the technological friction and bridging the disconnect to make it easy for guests to access, personalize and control their favorite content will see increased guest satisfaction, guest loyalty and hotel bookings. And now, providers like DISH Business are making it even easier to offer entertainment solutions that elevate the in-room experience. When you sign up today, DISH Business is offering free programming for your first two months* so you can focus on providing the best experience for your guests.

Learn more at dish.com/hotels

*Offer ends 12/31/20. Commitment required and other restrictions apply.