As technology expectations from travelers rise, hotels are clamoring to upgrade the guest experience. Advances in technology have given owners and operators new AI-powered tools, personalized online booking, expansive in-room offerings, and an increasingly automated stay.
Throughout all this development, one technology stalwart remains the most important feature of any hotel stay – the television. Since the advent of cable television and premium content on services like HBO, the TV has always been a major draw for guests. There are myriad reasons for this, but the one that everyone can agree on is that when the day ends or the weekend comes. It's time to relax, children get bored, and eventually, the TV gets turned on.
The important question hotel owners and operators must consider is how they can make sure the TV experience they offer engages guests and leaves enough of an impression to keep them coming back. The answer lies in ensuring that hotel entertainment offers a home away from home experience.
With super high-speed internet connections and the growth of hyper-personalized viewing experiences at home, internet protocol television, or IPTV, has long been the norm and has made the case for its adoption in the guest entertainment ecosystem. For this reason alone, IPTV is gaining popularity among hotels that want to provide more personalized, widely accessible, and efficient entertainment options.
Why IPTV Is Changing the Hotel Experience
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Gone are the days of cumbersome intro screens with antiquated menus offering minimal selections of channels. Traditional cable or satellite TV offers guests limited options to watch scheduled broadcasts on specific channels without the ability to stop, rewind, or rewatch content.
IPTV changes this dynamic by delivering live TV programs and on-demand video content via IP networks, delivering curated content that includes subscription services and watch-anywhere capabilities.
Aiming to bring a piece of "home" with them on their trips, IPTV allows travelers to pick up a program series where they left off or experience new programs offered via other services. IPTV's personalized experience lets guests view the content they want through:
- On-demand video libraries
- Integration with their own streaming accounts through providers like Netflix and Hulu
- High-quality streaming with less buffering
- High-resolution picture quality, often supporting HD and 4K resolution
Unlike traditional TV solutions, IPTV content is typically delivered over a managed or dedicated network, such as Digital Subscriber Line connectivity. This private network gives operators more control over video traffic, ensuring quality of service, uptime, bandwidth, and reliability.
A Full Property Experience
IPTV extends the entertainment experience beyond the in-room television. With it, guests can also access content on smartphones, tablets, and laptops, providing full entertainment coverage across a property. Whether at the pool, in a conference room, or dining at the hotel restaurant, staying connected and entertained is the expectation of today's travelers.
Remote viewing ensures guests get what they want when they want it and becomes part of the property's integrated solution, enhancing the guest experience.
Scalability and Revenue Opportunities
IPTV also has the advantage of scalability. Hotels can integrate new services as they become available, supporting the latest technologies from virtual reality to video conferencing to room automation. This ensures properties stay current with guest expectations and trends.
IPTV systems also provide data collection opportunities. By analyzing visitor interests and habits through content engagement metrics, hotels can:
- Improve service offerings based on popular content
- Develop targeted marketing campaigns
- Create more personalized guest experiences
The technology also provides the possibility of increased entertainment revenue through paid content and pay-per-view options. Hotels can offer exclusive sporting events, films, or interactive offerings such as games, offering packages that enhance guest experiences.
Implementation Considerations
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Although IPTV offers numerous advantages, implementation requires careful planning. IPTV and cable/satellite TV differ fundamentally in the way they operate. Hotels will need to take an either/or approach.
IPTV connects to the hotel's existing internet infrastructure without requiring supplemental cabling or renovations. A centralized management system allows content updates and technical troubleshooting without physically accessing guest rooms, streamlining operations and maintenance.
Key considerations when deciding on which technology to feature include:
- Bandwidth demands for streaming high-quality content
- Integration with existing systems
- Staff training for the new technology
Because of the technical and operational differences, it's essential to work with a technology partner that can help assess a property's current infrastructure, help map out a plan for implementation, training, and management of a new system, and help assess budget implications.
The Increasingly Digital Guest Experience
IPTV is another tool in the toolbox for properties. Owners and operators will need to make decisions based on technology infrastructure, budget constraints, and guest enjoyment. This may mean choosing between upgraded fundamental services, like TV service, or more alluring guest-facing features to drive satisfaction. As hotels continue to increase their technological offerings, partnering with a single-source technology provider can help simplify implementation, reduce vendor complexity, and ensure a future-proof infrastructure. The right technology partner can help hotels leverage IPTV to enhance guest experiences while streamlining operations.
Meeting guests' entertainment expectations isn't just about providing a TV in the room; it's about delivering a personalized, flexible viewing experience that mirrors what travelers enjoy at home. Learn more about how Allbridge, as a partner, can help you uplevel your digital guest experience in a way that will most impact your property and your bottom line.
