Guests now demand access to their own streaming content as well as access to a wider library of available content and this has led Foxtel to develop the Business iQ.
“We’re seeing content consumption at never before levels like we are now,” said Foxtel National Accommodation Manager, Iain Nelson, while on-stage at the recent AHICE conference in Adelaide.
“The demand for live sport, news, first-run drama have never been higher than what they are at the moment, across all platforms, from broadcast to on demand.
“So we took the move to invest in technology that expands the guest’s choice, and the ability to also be able to embrace mobile access to streaming content. We want to try to replicate the home environment as best we can,” Nelson added.
For a hotel manager, it can be a bit daunting when considering the various content options available. Foxtel has factored that into the Business iQ, enabling viewers to cast their own streaming platforms like Netflix or YouTube as well as access Foxtel’s extensive On Demand library featuring over 20,000 hours of movies, drama, entertainment, documentaries and sport. Plus there are 90 channels of linear TV to entertain guests.
To deliver higher levels of customer service, hotel managers can also load their own content onto the Foxtel Business iQ. They can replicate their entire compendium on the platform to showcase hotel and local attraction information.
Through the use of QR codes, they can also make it much easier for customers to interact with their services such as booking restaurants/spa facilities or signing up for their loyalty program. Or they can add in their own content channels that appear in the channel list alongside all of the Foxtel channels. This feature could be utilised for the hotel’s promotional videos or they could add in external foreign language and wellness channels.
The Business iQ allows hotel managers to send messages directly to the TV screen of a guest or a group of guests, a great feature to remind guests of specific activities that are about to start such as happy hour at the hotel bar.
“It’s a means to communicate and engage with guests,” Nelson says.
“We can provide them with a much wider range of services. You can have flight information displays, function and event leads, upsell room service and other F&B outlets, loyalty program acquisition, message guests. It’s just unlimited.”
As the service is cloud-based, all updates are pushed remotely so there’s a one-time technology investment with lifetime warranties on both the hardware and software. Business iQ provides hotel managers with a future proof system that offers everything they need all in the one place while giving hotel guests the entertainment choices they have available at home.
To expand the entertainment offering in your hotel rooms, visit foxtel.com.au/biq or call 1300 715 056.