LodgeNet, DIRECTV Announce Extension and Expansion of Programming Relationship

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., and EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LodgeNet Interactive Corporation (Nasdaq: LNET) and DIRECTV (Nasdaq: DTV) announced today that they have signed a new 10-year agreement that expands the scope of the companies' joint efforts in serving hotels and hospitals across the United States.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080115/AQTU120LOGO)

Under the agreement, LodgeNet will continue its long-standing distribution relationship with DIRECTV for the sale of basic and premium television programming for guest rooms and patient rooms.  In addition, the new agreement includes the rights to continue distributing subscription-based sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ through the LodgeNet pay-per-view system; and developing integrated engineering solutions and co-branded marketing promotions targeted to the hospitality industry.

"High-definition television programming is an important guest amenity and a core component of LodgeNet's value proposition to hotels and hospitals across the country," said Michael J. Christin, vice president Field Sales for LodgeNet. "With this agreement, we are leveraging the resources of two industry leaders to provide the industry with compelling television programming solutions today, as well as a framework to develop and deliver new content and service offerings that will enable hoteliers and healthcare facilities to deliver differentiated guest experiences in the future."  

"During these changing and challenging times, both DIRECTV and LodgeNet are committed to providing hoteliers differentiated, cost effective and reliable products to deliver an exceptional guest experience," said Marc Ginsberg, vice president Commercial Sales for DIRECTV.  "By extending our relationship with LodgeNet, we have the opportunity to further expand the availability of our industry-leading HD services to the hotel industry." 

LodgeNet – which has partnered with DIRECTV to provide free-to-guest programming to hotels since 1996 – is the hospitality industry's largest DIRECTV distributor, with a footprint of more than 1 million guest rooms.

About LodgeNet

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 approximately 1.9 million hotel rooms 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 www.lodgenet.com.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is the world's most popular video service delivering state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming, the most comprehensive sports packages available and industry leading customer service to its more than 25 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 18.56 million customers more than 130 HD channels and  Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound (when available), access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, award winning technology like its DIRECTV® DVR Scheduler and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for nine years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to 6.5 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well as a 65 percent interest in Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please call 1-800-DIRECTV or visit directv.com.

SOURCE LodgeNet Interactive Corporation