SAN JOSE, Calif., and DENVER, July 31, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- On Command Corporation (Nasdaq:ONCO), the leading provider of the latest feature films-on-demand, interactive entertainment, and Internet services for hotels and their guests, announced today a mutually-exclusive joint venture with STS Hotel Net(tm). The partnership will focus on integrating On Command's television platform with STS Hotel Net's customized Internet portal. This proprietary technology will provide a truly unique guest experience that combines the convenience of television with the power of the Internet.
"Despite the current 'buzz' about Internet access in the hotel guest room, no provider has been able to offer a fully-integrated guest experience," said Jerome Kern, chairman and CEO of On Command. "By integrating STS Hotel Net's Internet-driven technology, On Command's television platform will become Web-centric. The seamless integration of the two technologies will provide travelers with access to a broad range of entertainment and information services from a single source. This is an unprecedented opportunity to enrich the guest experience through Internet technology, " said Kern.
STS Hotel Net provides guest specific online information and services to travelers who connect to the Internet through a customized web portal at www.hotelnet.com. The synthesis technology of the Hotel Net Portal(tm) allows a personalized guest Internet experience on multiple platforms. The joint venture with On Command elevates the presence of STS Hotel Net as well as the guest's option for using database-driven Internet technology specifically tailored to the television. The familiarity of the television and the ubiquity of the Internet will propel the combined On Command and STS Hotel Net services into an expected guestroom amenity.
"STS Hotel Net will still provide its portal technology to in-room providers of high speed laptop Internet access, and to hotel companies for use on laptop Internet systems," said Alfred 'Chip' Kahn IV, CEO of STS Hotel Net. "But, we know adding the On Command television platform will amplify guest Internet access and Hotel Net Portal use. As an established leader in providing interactive broadband entertainment, On Command is a partner that can help drive STS Hotel Net's content and database expertise to offer a dependable guest Internet experience on any platform."
The jointly-developed TV-based, Hotel Net Portal platform will provide guests with access to virtual tours of local restaurants and happenings, business communication services, specific hotel services, and online shopping. Many of On Command's broadcast partners who are making their own forays into the Internet will find new strategic marketing opportunities to deliver "platform-agnostic" content through the jointly developed platform.
About STS Hotel Net
STS Hotel Net provides online media and Internet applications for the traveler and the hospitality industry. The Hotel Net Portal provides guest specific content, local merchant information, business communication services, and e-commerce applications for shopping on the Internet. Hotel companies who want to expand their brand presence and guest relationships can use the Hotel Net Portal to create a customized online guest experience.
The Hotel Net Portal is platform agnostic, meaning hotel guests can access HotelNet.com from a laptop, television, personal digital assistant (PDA), or in-room PC, increasing the number of opportunities for use of the content and services. STS Hotel Net believes that delivering a tasteful, rich online guest experience, regardless of how the guest connects, is the single most important decision a hotel can make about its Internet strategy.
STS Hotel Net customers include FelCor Lodging Trust, MeriStar Hotels and Resorts, MeriStar Hospitality Corporation, RFS Hotel Investors, and Sage Hospitality Resources, totaling approximately 110,000 Hotel Net guestrooms. The company assists its hotel partners in selecting an in-room provider of high speed Internet access depending on each of their needs.
About On Command
On Command Corporation (www.oncommand.com) is the leading provider of in-room interactive entertainment, Internet services, business information and guest services for the lodging industry and its guests. The company is based in San Jose, California with offices across the United States and around the world. On Command Corporation annually serves more than 250 million guests through nearly 1 million rooms in approximately 3,450 hotel properties in over 22 countries. These hotel partners represent over 100 of the most prestigious hotel chains and operators in the lodging industry including Adam's Mark Hotels and Resorts; Bass Hotels & Resorts (InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn), Fairmont, Four Seasons, Hilton (Doubletree, Embassy Suites), Hyatt, Loews, Marriott (Courtyard, Renaissance, Fairfield Inn & Residence Inn), Radisson, Ramada, Starwood Hotels & Resorts (Westin, Sheraton, W Hotels, Four Points), and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. OCX is a registered trademark of On Command Corporation. On Command is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol ONCO and its warrants are traded under the symbols ONCOW and ONCOZ.
Information and statements presented in this press release may contain forward looking disclosures, expressed or implied, that are based on the beliefs of management as well as assumptions made based on information currently available to management. These forward looking statements and information involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the ability of the Company to raise capital, future demand for the Company's services, general economic conditions, government regulations, competition and customer strategies, capital deployment, the impact of pricing and other risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this press release as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. These risks are detailed from time to time in various reports filed by On Command Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms 10-K (filed for the year-ended December 31, 1999) and Forms 10-Q filed quarterly (and most recently filed for the quarter ended March 31, 2000).
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