Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has named DirecTV its preferred video and audio provider in the U.S, providing in-room access to the satellite giant’s popular NFL Sunday Ticket, programming for the four major professional sports leagues and nearly 100 HD channels.
Beginning today, Sheraton, one of Starwood’s 10 hotel brands, will upgrade its HDTV capability and bring new channels to its U.S. hotels as part of its Sheraton 2020 initiative to make Sheraton the global hotel brand of choice.
“Sheraton is taking the lead in dramatically evolving on-property entertainment options to provide guests with an effortless travel experience, allowing them to truly feel as though our hotels are their home away from home,” said Sheraton Hotel & Resorts global brand leader Dave Marr in a statement. “Now our guests don’t have to miss their favorite shows while staying with us.”
This is the second major hotel deal DirecTV has inked in about a year. Back in April 2014 the satellite giant announced a deal to provide advanced TV services to Hilton Hotels.
Starwood properties will have access to DirecTV’s 2nd generation headend platform and DirecTV Residential Experience (DRE). Hotel guests at properties providing DRE will benefit from access to nearly 100 HD channels, exclusive sports programing, a user-friendly interactive program guide and select DVR capabilities.
“Our work with Starwood will open up more TV channel options for hotels, improving the in-room entertainment experience for guests,” said AT&T GigaPower, Commercial and Connected Communities senior vice president Eric Boyer in a statement. “We’re providing properties and their guests with the best programming options available in the U.S.”
These and other new offerings will be available to current and future guests of Starwood properties subscribing to DirecTV services through any of DirecTV’s authorized hospitality dealers.
Starwood has 1,200 properties in about 100 countries and its brands include St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le Meridien, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft, Element and Tribute Portfolio.
