Fox Broadcasting Company Partners With The Hotel Networks to Create Buzz Around Two of Its Hottest New Fall Shows

NEW YORK, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Hotel Networks (THN), a leading provider of marketing and programming solutions for hoteliers, has announced that during the month of August it will offer guests the exclusive opportunity to watch free, advanced showings of Fox Broadcasting Company's (FOX) highly anticipated new drama series, LONE STAR, and its new family comedy, RAISING HOPE. Both premiere episodes will be available in the "FreeViews" on demand category of LodgeNet digital interactive TV (iTV) systems, available to over 25 million guests in 1 million hotel rooms nationwide.  

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THN will promote both programs on the main menu through navigation bars and banner ads. Additionally, promotional spots on the Welcome Channel, Promo Channel, and THN's Cable Network SuperBlock will highlight the offering to hotel guests. Many of these promo spots are interactive – taking hotel guests to the free episodes with one click of the remote.

Prominently featured on the main menu of the LodgeNet iTV system, "FreeViews" provides a tremendous opportunity for programmers and advertisers to reach a highly engaged and involved audience. The hotel room serves as an optimal place to capture coveted audiences who are away from the distractions and pace of everyday life and have the time to relax and watch DVR-free TV. Research consistently shows that over 98% of hotel guests turn on their hotel television and watch, on average, more than 3 hours of TV per day.  

"There is no better opportunity to promote and sample shows and programming than within the hotel environment. Travelers have an exploratory mindset and are presented with a fresh, concise set of entertainment choices. Instead of methodically settling for the same half dozen of 'favorites' they view at home, guests experiment with new programming," said Derek White, President, The Hotel Networks. "According to multiple Nielsen and Zoomerang studies, this results in upwards of 50% of guests watching new channels or shows, with 24% being 'converted' and continuing to view channels/shows when they get back home."

LONE STAR premieres Monday, Sept. 20 at 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on FOX. The series centers on a charismatic and brilliant schemer – Robert Allen (newcomer James Wolk) – who has meticulously constructed two lives in two different parts of Texas. In Houston, he's a devoted husband charming his ultra-wealthy in-laws to cement his position in the rich family business he aims to clean out. More than 400 miles away in the suburban west Texas town of Midland, he lives a second life with his sweet, naive girlfriend, playing the perfect boyfriend while secretly bilking local investors of their savings.

As he tries to hold his two lives together, while fending off angry investors and the growing suspicions of those around him, Robert puts it all on the line hoping he can beat the odds, leave the schemes behind and keep two separate relationships afloat.

LONE STAR is a production of 20th Century Fox Television, Depth of Field Productions and Keyser/Lippman Productions. The series stars James Wolk, Adrianne Palicki, Eloise Mumford, Bryce Johnson, Mark Deklin, David Keith and Jon Voight, and is written and executive-produced by Kyle Killen. Chris Keyser, Amy Lippman, Kerry Kohansky, Paul Weitz and Peter Horton also serve as executive producers. Marc Webb directed the pilot.

RAISING HOPE premieres Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT on FOX. The half-hour comedy follows the Chance family as they find themselves adding an unexpected new member into their household. At 23 years old, Jimmy Chance (Lucas Neff) is going nowhere in life. He skims pools for a living, parties every night and still lives at home with his family.

Jimmy's life takes a drastic turn after a chance romantic encounter with a wanted felon. Months later, Jimmy learns his one-night stand is pregnant with their baby, and after she gives birth, he is charged with raising their daughter.

RAISING HOPE is produced by Amigos de Garcia Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television. The series stars Lucas Neff, Garret Dillahunt, Martha Plimpton and Shannon Woodward, and guest-stars Cloris Leachman. The pilot was written by Greg Garcia and directed by Michael Fresco. Garcia serves as executive producer on the series.

About The Hotel Networks

The Hotel Networks (THN), a subsidiary of LodgeNet Interactive Corporation (Nasdaq: LNET), is a leading marketing and programming solutions provider in the hotel space. THN delivers a premium package of ten television channels, interactive TV advertising applications and custom content to upscale and business class hotels nationwide. For more information, please visit www.thehotelnetworks.com.

SOURCE LodgeNet Interactive Corporation