Tokyo — June 5, 2012 — This month thousands of hoteliers from around the globe will flock to the Baltimore Convention Center to attend the world’s largest Hospital­ity Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC). In addition to learning about, and interacting with, the latest software, hardware, cloud and mobile-based applications, hoteliers for the first time will have the unique opportunity to network with executives from Japan's sole public broadcasting company, NHK World TV. 
 
NHK, which operates the country’s largest national and international television network, distributed by Japan International Broadcasting Inc. (JIB), is bringing its in-demand, free-to-guest, English-speaking news, business and lifestyle programming to the United States to enhance hotel's in-room entertainment offering. Already in 130 countries and 300,000+ hotel rooms, NHK World TV should be at the top of every HITEC shoppers wish list.

"HITEC is definitely the place for technology suppliers to be and 'be seen' by hospitality leaders and IT professionals this month," said Jules Sieburgh, a hospitality technology consultant and HFTP International Technology Hall of Fame inductee in 1998. "As attendees begin putting together their shopping list of 'must-see' exhibits, it's important that those who are looking to enhance their in-room entertainment and direct-to-guest services offerings add NHK World TV to their schedule. Here are five top reason why:

1.  International travelers rely on NHK World TV
Your guests are world travelers. Whether you are an independent hotel or a global brand, you need to deliver the news, information and entertainment that is relative to your guests. NHK World TV provides 30 minute weekday and weeknight newscasts produced in English, with content coming from 80 correspondents stationed in 30 news bureaus around the world, including London, New York, Los Angeles, Beijing, Jerusalem and Cairo.

With more than 3.2 million travelers arriving in the U.S. from Japan between 2009 to 2011 (acording to the U.S. Travel Assn.), and knowing that Japanese visitors spend on average $5,100 during their stay (also U.S. Travel Assn.), why would a hotel choose not to deliver news with an Asian perspective to this important customer base? Today 85.5 million households in Europe, 32.5 million in the Middle East and Africa, 30.5 million in Asia, 7.3 million in North and South America, and 440,000 in Australia and the South Pacific are devoted viewers of NHK World TV.
 
If you claim to offer the most popular free-to-guest-services and in-room entertainment programming available, then you need to offer NHK World TV.

2.  Demand for in-room entertainment is at an all time high
Today's guests thrive on instant gratification. With the Internet now an integral part of consumers' everyday lives, being able to access information on demand is commonplace. As more and more hotels add to their in-room channel line-up, NHK World TV has shows today's international travelers enjoy. In addition to live news at the top of every hour, NHK WORLD TV features culture, art and music, anime, business, fashion, travel and cooking, science, and documentaries focusing mainly on Asia.

Consider this: On the TV Show "ITADAKIMASU: Dining with the Chef” viewers explore how to create delicious, beautiful and healthy Japanese dishes. Show hosts Tatsuo Saito, Rika Yukimasa and Shelly share recipes from their Japanese kitchen and offer practical tips on preparing authentic dishes. Now consider the potential revenue increase to your food-and-beverage department as guests who recently viewed this show call room service to order a meal, albeit Japanese or otherwise, or make a reservation in your restaurant. Likewise, "Tokyo Fashion Express," a show presenting up-to-the minute reports on Tokyo’s cutting-edge fashions and trends around the world, including Paris, Milan, and Asian countries including rapidly growing India and China, may have guests craving to go shopping in your retail shops or at nearby retailers with whom you have a co-op marketing relationship. Finally, "Journeys in Japan" accompanies reporters who travel around the country meeting the people in each area and exploring the local culture. The program introduces fascinating aspects of Japan that cannot be found in guide books. Guests now go to their laptop looking to book their next trip at your sister property in Japan to live the experience.

If you need ways to attract more on-site spending, want to encourage more cross-promotional spending with local retailers, and desire to keep your loyal guests traveling to more destinations in your hotel enterprise, whether it's in the U.S. or across the globe, then it's time to offer NHK World TV.

3.  Establish hotel and brand differentiation and enhance your mobile strategy
Today approximately 300,000 hotel rooms and growing have seen the light and have begun offering NHK World TV. Don't lose market share just because the hotel next door offers more services tailored for today's international travelers. NHK World TV viewers are fluent in English but appreciate Asian-influenced content. In addition, they rely heavily on the media to keep them informed while on the go. NHK World TV programs can be viewed on the Internet simultaneously with the actual TV Broadcast. Live Streaming on www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/ or via an iPhone app that can be added to any mobile guest-services platform.

If your hotel is looking to add to its mobile strategy and wants to extend its branding and in-room programming to all guest touch points throughout the hotel, NHK World TV is adaptable. While your competitors may offer various in-room services and programming options, only NHK World TV gives guests an "Eye on Asia" no matter where they are in the hotel.

4.  Leverage existing business partnerships
Chances are that if you already partner with an in-room entertainment provider, NHK World TV can easily be added to their existing free-to-guest programming. With a few minor technology requirements in place, NHK World TV is easy to launch. We understand the redundancy of paying multiple vendors for similar services; therefore, if it is technologically possible to add NHK World TV to your provider's existing package, we are happy to do so.

Providers of in-room entertainment or free-to-guest services are encouraged to discuss a strategic business partnership with NHK World TV at HITEC.

5.  Align your hotel with a leader!
NHK is the leading Japanese media organization in international coverage. Correspondents provide original reporting from dangerous areas and conflict zones around the world. In 2010, NHK was the first global media to have reporters on the scene at the Chilean coal mine where 33 workers were trapped underground. Covering the entire event for two months until the miners were rescued, NHK was able to obtain exclusive underground footage for its programming. Likewise, on March 11, 2011, when a magnitude nine earthquake struck off the Pacific coast of the Tohoku region of Japan triggering an enormours tsunami, NHK was there too. All of the company's resources were devoted to reporting the disaster. This disaster reporting was broadcast to the world through NHK World TV.
 
As the only public broadcaster in Japan, it is NHK's mission to embrace digital technologies and respond to new innovations in technology and the Internet-era by maintaining a challenging approach to the development of new broadcast services. Hoteliers that wish to offer the best world news coverage, should add NHK World TV to its channel line up.

To pre-schedule an appointment, email Jay Campbell at [email protected] or call (201) 666-5131.

About NHK:
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) is Japan's sole public broadcaster, operating the country's largest national and international television network. In Japan, NHK offers four TV channels (two terrestrial; two satellite, All channels are digital HD), and three radio services. NHK also operates two international television channels NHK WORLD TV (English, HD, 24/7) and NHK WORLD PREMIUM (Japanese,24/7) and offers international radio services in 18 languages. NHK WORLD TV can be viewed by more than 150 million households worldwide.
 
About Japan International Broadcasting, Inc.:
Japan International Broadcasting Inc. (JIB), a subsidiary of NHK, is responsible for the worldwide distribution of the HD English language news/lifestyle program “NHK WORLD TV”, as well as the Japanese language program “NHK WORLD PREMIUM.” Currently, the two channels are broadcast around the world on three international satellites and reach households, hotels and others via DTH, cable, IPTV and terrestrial broadcast.