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To cater to the ever-increasing technological demands of travelers, Marriott International is testing out the idea of allowing its guests to access Netflix, Hulu and Pandora via their in-room TVs, according to Bloomberg News.
Marriott is currently testing out the service at eight of its properties.
"We have invited leading technology companies and content providers to work with us to design the next wave in in-room entertainment focusing on on-demand programming," said John Wolf, a spokesman for Bethesda, Maryland-based Marriott, told Bloomberg News. "We are currently offering guests in eight test hotels the opportunity to stream their content through our high-definition TVs from multiple content providers."
According to the report, Marriott is not the only one considering the idea. The global hospitality company is "one of several hotel chains" that have thought about offering Netflix to guests as part of their in-room entertainment. Marriott guests can currently access Netflix on their laptops and tablets via Wi-Fi, but offering the ability to stream on Marriott's high-definition in-room TVs is being looked at as an opportunity to attract more revenue for both Marriott and Netflix.
Netflix, the biggest subscription-based streaming service, has been expanding quickly in its desire to become the world's first global online network. In March, Netflix will expand to Australia and New Zealand.
Netflix is also outpacing rival Amazon.com, Inc. The service began producing and distributing movies back in September and will introduce its first movie in late 2015.
Marriott's portfolio includes more than 700,000 rooms in 79 countries and territories. Overall, it was one of the more accomplished hotel companies in the world in 2014-opening its 4,000th hotel, introducing millennial-minded brands such as Moxy Hotels (and AC Hotels by Marriott in North America) and installing beacon technology-but it received some flack for its Wi-Fi programs and its initial stance of seeking to block personal Wi-Fi devices at its meeting and event spaces.
But given how popular Netflix is-and a clever marketing campaign with GoPro-Marriott could be on the upswing in the minds of some travelers.
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