“Ask any consumer to define a ‘WOW’ television experience and they’re likely to talk about digitally delivered widescreen movies, high-definition video-on-demand (VOD) and high-definition satellite programming – the very content that has not been available from hotel entertainment providers because of the piracy concerns of the content owners,” said Scott C. Petersen, President & CEO for LodgeNet. “We have pro-actively addressed the security issues of digital content owners by working closely with LG Electronics on its development of the industry standard Pro:Idiom^TM content protection technology, and we’re proud to announce those efforts are already helping us take guest room HDTV content well beyond the local broadcast programming we’ve been delivering for two years.” Petersen identified the following agreements:

• Digitally Delivered Widescreen Movies.  LodgeNet has been authorized by major motion picture studios to digitally deliver widescreen movies to the guest room through its SIGNETURE HDTV systems. This allows guests to enjoy Hollywood movies with the highest quality digital picture and sound and in the widescreen format that optimizes the “landscape” orientation of the HDTV screen and remains consistent with the director’s original vision.

• High-Definition VOD.  LodgeNet has contracted with K2 Communications to offer on-demand, high-definition movies originally produced for IMAX® Theaters. New videos will be added regularly, with upcoming titles scheduled to include “Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk”, “Ocean Oasis”, “Tropical Rainforest”, and “Super Speedway”. K2 will also be supplying other high-definition content, including comedy and concert programming, in the coming months.

• High-Definition Premium Satellite Programming
• HDNet, the leading high-definition television network, has authorized LodgeNet to distribute its 24x7 high-definition programming through SIGNETURE HDTV systems. Guests will enjoy all the topical news, sports, music and entertainment programming available on the HDNet flagship channel, plus the full lineup of high-definition Hollywood hits and original movies on HDNet Movies. The relationship expands LodgeNet’s high-definition satellite channel lineup, which also includes premier original and sports programming from HBO HD pursuant to a landmark agreement announced last month.
• DIRECTV, the nation’s leading and fastest-growing digital multichannel television service provider, has approved LodgeNet’s SIGNETURE HDTV system for the delivery of DIRECTV distributed, high-definition channels, which currently include Discovery HD Theater, ESPN HD, HDNet, HDNet Movies, and Universal HD. 

About LodgeNet

LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation (www.lodgenet.com) is the world’s largest provider of interactive television and broadband solutions to hotels, including resort and casino hotels, throughout the United States and Canada as well as select international markets. These services include on-demand movies, music and music videos, on-demand videogames, Internet on television, and television on-demand programming, as well as high-speed Internet access, all designed to serve the needs of the lodging industry and the traveling public. LodgeNet provides service to more than one million interactive guest pay rooms and serves more than 6,000 hotel properties worldwide. LodgeNet estimates that during 2004 approximately 275 million travelers had access to LodgeNet’s interactive television systems. LodgeNet is listed on NASDAQ and trades under the symbol LNET.

LodgeNet, the LodgeNet logo, and SIGNETURE HDTV are service marks or registered trademarks of LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation. Pro:Idiom is a trademark of LG Electronics Inc. Other trademarks may be claimed as the property of others.