LodgeNet, Paramount Pictures Sign Landmark Agreement For High-Definition Movies On-Demand
LOS ANGELES, CA, Ocotber 11, 2005. LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation, the world's largest provider of interactive television and broadband solutions to hotels, and Paramount Pictures today announced a landmark agreement granting LodgeNet the right to distribute high-definition versions of Paramount's major motion pictures on its sigNETure HDTV(SM) systems. With this agreement, hotels that have LodgeNet's sigNETure HDTV system can "wow" their guests with an additional category of high-definition (HD) content: Paramount feature films recently released in theaters and not yet made available for consumer purchase or rental in HD resolution. Currently, LodgeNet's offering is the only way to view this content in a high-definition format.
"Through this landmark agreement, LodgeNet is again elevating the guest experience hoteliers are seeking from their HDTV investment by delivering newly released Hollywood movies in true high-definition clarity," said Scott C. Petersen, President & CEO for LodgeNet. "We are thrilled to be able to offer, right now, 'War of the Worlds' and 'The Longest Yard', two of the biggest box office hits this summer, in addition to the high-definition broadcast and premium satellite programming available through our sigNETure HDTV systems." Petersen added that all Paramount titles delivered through sigNETure HDTV will be enhanced with LodgeNet's PowerPlay(SM) media playback controls, providing Pause, Skip and Save functionality to bring guests a better than home theater experience.
"LodgeNet's commitment to protecting our valuable digital content was key in our decision to authorize distribution of high-definition titles over their Pro:Idiom(TM) enabled platform," said Alexander R. Fragen, Senior Vice President, Ancillary Market Sales for Paramount. "We are confident this expanded agreement, an industry first, will bring the excitement of the HD experience to both hoteliers and their guests."
LodgeNet has distributed high-definition programming to select hotel guest rooms since 2003. LodgeNet's sigNETure HDTV systems integrate Pro:Idiom(TM), an open standard security solution developed by LG Electronics to protect the integrity of premium digital content at every point in the distribution chain. This innovation has directly resulted in a series of industry-first distribution agreements through which LodgeNet delivers high-definition satellite programming from such premium content suppliers as HBO HD, as well as high-definition on-demand movies originally produced for IMAX(R) Theaters.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
