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What TV Features Do Hotel Guests Expect?

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What TV Features Do Hotel Guests Expect?

Today’s hotel guests expect more than basic cable. They want an in-room entertainment experience that feels as seamless and personalized as the one they have at home. Meeting these expectations can do more than help improve the guest experience. It can also influence guest behaviors that can affect revenue, including guest choice, recommendations, return visits and willingness to pay.

The Top TV features hotel guests want

Access to streaming services

According to a recent survey°, 34% of travelers want access to paid streaming services, with guests under 50 prioritizing streaming access in the guest room.

Live TV and premium entertainment

Guests have clear priorities when it comes to what they want access to in their in-room entertainment experience. They still expect access to national networks (25%), live sports networks (21%) and premium networks (23%). Offering a combination of live TV and streaming gives travelers the flexibility to watch content their way. In fact, guests 50 and older prioritize live TV, local stations, news, and sports.

Large, high-quality TVs

Despite the proliferation of personal devices and streaming platforms, television remains an important room amenity. In fact, 93% of guests expect a TV to be available in their hotel room, with 61% of guests using the in-room TV every time they’re in the room.

This mix of content and features shows that guests are not looking for just one thing. Today’s travelers expect all the technological comforts of home, which is why it is important hoteliers offer robust and varied in-room guest entertainment offerings to help meet traveler demands.

Why hotel TV features matter

In-room entertainment has become an important factor in guest decision making. Research shows:

  • 47% of guests say the quality of in-room TV influences whether they’ll return to a hotel.
  • 42% say it affects whether they’ll recommend the property.
  • 39% say it influences which hotel they choose.
  • 38% say it affects how much they’re willing to pay for a room.

Hotels looking to offer a more robust entertainment offering may benefit from DIRECTV HOSPITALITY’s Advanced Entertainment Platform. This next-generation hotel TV system combines traditional linear satellite TV with integrated streaming applications and on-demand content for an enhanced guest entertainment experience that aligns with at-home entertainment consumption behaviors.

°Source: HUB Entertainment Research Source: HUB Entertainment “Tech, TV and Travel” Survey conducted March 2026 with 2,000 U.S. consumers 21+ who stayed five or more nights in hotels within the past 12 months. Availability of DIRECTV service may vary by location. In certain markets, programming/pricing may vary.  Hardware and programming available separately. Receipt of DIRECTV programming subject to terms of the DIRECTV Terms of Service. Taxes not included. DIRECTV programming, hardware, pricing, terms and conditions subject to change at any time. ©2026 DIRECTV. DIRECTV and all other DIRECTV marks are trademarks of DIRECTV, LLC.

Frequently asked questions

What TV channels do hotel guests expect?

Guests expect a mix of national networks, live sports, premium programming, and access to streaming services, giving them entertainment options that mirror what they have at home.

Do hotel guests want access to streaming services?

Yes. Hotel guests expect access to streaming services during their stay. Streaming allows guests to sign in to their personal accounts with their login credentials to access their favorite shows, movies, and other content. Today’s travelers expect all the technological comforts of home, which is why it is important hoteliers offer robust and varied in-room guest entertainment offerings to help meet traveler demands.

Does in-room entertainment affect hotel revenue?

Yes. In-room entertainment can have a direct impact on hotel revenue by influencing guest satisfaction and booking decisions. A modern entertainment experience that includes access to live TV and premium entertainment, streaming applications, and guest room TVs can affect whether guests choose a hotel, recommend it to others, return for future stays, and are willing to pay higher room rates. As guest expectations continue to evolve, in-room entertainment has become an important factor in driving both revenue and guest loyalty.

Do hotels offer streaming services on TVs?

Hotels generally provide streaming through hospitality entertainment platforms or casting technology that allows guests access to stream from their personal devices. Hotels looking to offer a robust entertainment offering may benefit from DIRECTV HOSPITALITY’s Advanced Entertainment Platform. This next-generation hotel TV system combines traditional linear satellite TV with integrated streaming applications and on-demand content for an enhanced guest entertainment experience that aligns with at-home entertainment consumption behaviors.

How can hotels improve the guest TV experience?

Hotels can improve the guest TV experience by offering modern entertainment options, including streaming access, easy-to-use interfaces, and live TV programming. Solutions like DIRECTV HOSPITALITY’s Advanced Entertainment Platform can help hotels deliver a more personalized in-room experience by combining live television with access to popular streaming services.