The Year of Internet TV: iBAHN's iMEDIA generates 150% Increase in Revenue for hoteliers in 2012

DENVER, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- iBAHN, the global leader in IP-based entertainment and information services for the hospitality, meeting, conference and retail industries, today announced that in-room sales of its IPTV service, iMEDIA, generated a 150 percent increase in revenue for its hotel customers from October 2011 to December 2012.  iMEDIA allows hotel guests to access the limitless content of the Internet, delivered in high definition, directly on their in-room televisions. iMEDIA is offered to guests through iBAHN's ETVi Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) solution.

iBAHN customers, including many of the top luxury hotel brands around the globe, have benefitted from the results of iMEDIA. With the buy rate for in-room, on-demand movies decreasing, iMEDIA gives hoteliers an alternate revenue stream and provides guests more choices and viewing options. With the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 enacted into law in January 2013, hoteliers can now take immediate deductions on purchases of capital equipment, so providing updated equipment with iBAHN's state-of-the-art ETVi IPTV solution has an even greater benefit to a property's bottom line.

"JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek installed iBAHN's IPTV solution this year and we were able to turn our existing flat screen HDTVs into Internet-enabled TVs by adding iMEDIA.   This saved us from having to purchase smart televisions, and now we can offer our guests web access via the TV," said Jan Lucas, General Manager of the JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek. "This drives guest satisfaction as visitors can access the content they want, when they want it, via the iMEDIA open browsing experience on the TV." 

iBAHN attributes much of iMEDIA's revenue growth to guests' increasingly high expectations for on-demand content regardless of their location. Consumers are using IPTV in their homes more and more, and now business and leisure travelers expect their hotel experiences to include the same advanced level of technology to which they are accustomed. iMEDIA gives today's guests the online content they desire, when they want it, on the biggest screen in the room.  Using iMEDIA, guests can access their streaming subscription content on their in-room televisions, instead of having to watch it on their laptops or tablets.

"iBAHN's luxury hotel and resort clients know that their guests expect the very best when it comes to accessing content from the comfort of their hotel rooms," said Roger Crellin, iBAHN's President of the Americas. "The strong revenue growth of iMEDIA in 2012 is indicative of hotel guests' increasing demand and enjoyment of the iMEDIA service. "

According to a January 2013 update from the American Hotel and Lodging Association

"On January 1, H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, was enacted into law." According to AH&LA, "…included in the legislation was the renewal of bonus depreciation, also known as section 179 expensing.  This allows hoteliers to immediately take deductions on purchases of capital equipment rather than depreciate them over a period of time. The maximum deduction for 2012 and 2013 is $500,000, and the asset limit is $2 million. Also, 50 percent of what is spent for capital equipment can be expensed in the first year."

Crellin continues, "In 2013, we expect even bigger growth in IPTV, which will be fortified by the legislative news. We look forward to working with our partners to harness this opportunity."

About iBAHN

iBAHN creates exceptional information and entertainment experiences for people on the move.

iBAHN is a partner with business owners in the hospitality, conference, food service and retail industries. We complement business strategy with managed services enabling connectivity, entertainment and information over a dedicated enterprise grade IP platform.

The iBAHN managed network operates in more than 50 countries across six continents delivering connectivity, information and entertainment to tablets, laptops, mobile phones and flat screens. Three million times a month, business owners, people on the move and more than half of the Fortune 500 companies rely on iBAHN solutions.

For more information, visit www.ibahn.com.

SOURCE iBAHN