LodgeNet Professional Solutions Selected by DIRECTV to Implement MPEG-4 Transition in Hospitality

LodgeNet Professional Solutions Selected by DIRECTV to Implement MPEG-4 Transition in Hospitality

Executing HD Upgrades At Over 500 Locations In North America For Leading Satellite Television Provider

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LodgeNet Interactive Corporation (NASDAQ:LNET) announced today that it has been selected by DIRECTV to provide technical support and installation services to upgrade high-definition (HD) television systems in over 500 hotels served by DIRECTV nationwide.

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On February 20, 2009, DIRECTV will begin offering Showtime HD, Universal HD and HDNet in the new MPEG-4 format, and will eliminate the current MPEG-2 feed for these channels. As a result, systems at the affected properties will require the installation, upgrade or replacement of equipment to allow those locations to receive content in the new format.

Under the new agreement, LodgeNet's Professional Solutions Group has been hired to provide the installation support to upgrade the hardware required for DIRECTV's migration of their original HD programming from the MPEG-2 format to MPEG-4. The retrofit operation will be funded by DIRECTV and will be performed at no additional cost to the hotels. In addition to the above, plans are in place to further migrate additional channel offerings later in 2009, and it is anticipated that LodgeNet will manage this execution for DIRECTV as well.

The agreement with DIRECTV comes at the end of a year in which the newly formed LodgeNet Professional Solutions group has been chosen by numerous hoteliers to provide technical support and services in designing, managing or installing the infrastructure to support media and connectivity solutions. High-definition and broadband Internet technologies present complex issues for hoteliers wanting to provide the latest high-technology entertainment and connectivity services to their guests, and many have discovered that planning and managing these installations is more complex than they had expected. LodgeNet created its Professional Solutions Group in January 2008 to respond to these needs. This specialized team of experts helps hoteliers implement their content and technology initiatives in a turn-key fashion by integrating planning, design, project management and installation -- all backed by LodgeNet's industry-leading field service and support team.

Agreements secured by LodgeNet in 2008 include HDTV installations in over 15,000 rooms, broadband conferencing solutions for 25 properties and low voltage wiring implementation in 30 properties. Specific properties covered by the agreements include: The Resort at Pelican Hill, The Breakers, The Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation, Sheraton Suites San Diego, SpringHill Suites Bridgeton, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort, Agua Caliente Resort and Casino, The Inn at Charles Town, and Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound.

"The volume of business we have secured to date underscores the growing demand in our industry for professional advice and implementation to support hotels with the latest media and connectivity technologies," said Matt Sandvold, Senior Director of Professional Solutions for LodgeNet. "We could not be more pleased with the response we're seeing from some of the biggest and best brands in the industry."

The Professional Solutions Group also manages LodgeNet's exclusive Certified Installation Program. This program helps hoteliers save time and money as they plan and execute their transition to HDTV and includes comprehensive system planning, custom installation, centralized management and final testing so hotels get a system that is certified to function optimally when installation is complete. The Certified Installation program is currently supported by major digital HDTV manufacturers, including LG Electronics and Philips.

About LodgeNet Interactive

LodgeNet Interactive Corporation is the leading provider of media and connectivity solutions designed to meet the unique needs of hospitality, healthcare and other guest-based businesses. LodgeNet Interactive serves more than 1.9 million hotel rooms representing 10,000 hotel properties worldwide in addition to healthcare facilities throughout the United States. The company's services include: Interactive Television Solutions, Broadband Internet Solutions, Content Solutions, Professional Solutions and Advertising Media Solutions. LodgeNet Interactive Corporation owns and operates businesses under the industry leading brands: LodgeNet, LodgeNetRX, and The Hotel Networks. LodgeNet Interactive is listed on NASDAQ and trades under the symbol LNET. For more information, please visit http://www.lodgenet.com/.

LodgeNet is a registered trademark of LodgeNet Interactive Corporation. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Source: LodgeNet Interactive Corporation

CONTACT: Ann Parker, Director of Corporate Communications of LodgeNet
Interactive Corporation, +1-605-988-1000, ann.parker@lodgenet.com; or
investors, Mike Smargiassi, smarg@braincomm.com, or media, Ray Yeung,
yeung@braincomm.com, both of Brainerd Communicators, +1-212-986-6667

Web site: http://www.lodgenet.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment