On Command Strikes ESPN Deal

In-room interactive-entertainment provider On Command Video Corp. made several announcements at HITEC 2005 in Los Angeles.

The company said it will offer ESPN’s “GamePlan” out-of-market college-football and “Full Court” out-of-market college-basketball packages -- along with ESPN pay-per-view programming such as boxing, martial arts and poker championships -- to its hotel customers.

And On Command reached a deal with NDS Group plc to incorporate its “VideoGuard” digital-video-content-protection system for HD video-on-demand services into its overall “HD+” solution for the hotel industry.

On Command also debuted its new HD-menu system software, “CANVAS 2,” which enables it to create unique menu interfaces for its hotel partners.

And the company presented its HD-welcome-channel concept for hotels. The welcome channel is the first channel that appears when a guest powers on the in-room television.