Cabletime, developer of the powerful MediaStar range of IPTV, streaming and digital signage solutions has announced the acquisition of roomioTV, the US-based hotel and hospitality TV software developer. This move marks Cabletime’s intention to become a serious contender in the global hotel interactive TV market, enhancing its existing content distribution functionality with a powerful end-user focused solution and bespoke property management interface.
roomioTV has been designed to deliver hotel guests with an interactive channel guide indicating what shows they can see. It can deliver live TV, TV-on-Demand, movies from well know OTT providers and can run apps such as local weather updates or even the hotel room bill. The solution comprises a set-top box running an Android operating system with roomioTV’s locked-down, easy to use interface which will run seamlessly with popular displays including Samsung and LG. In the USA, the roomioTV software works with standard hotel property management systems and the plan is to expand this for new geographies.
Shaun Oxenham, CEO at Cabletime, said: “We are very excited about this acquisition because roomioTV have managed the difficult task of developing an engaging interactive hotel TV experience that is cross-TV manufacturer. Their experience in the HiTV market is demonstrated in their well thought out solution. We believe that the roomioTV solution, together with Cabletime’s existing head end portfolio will provide a compelling solution for hotels and chains in the hospitality market.”
Rich Alter, founder and CEO at roomioTV, said: “This is a great next step in the development of roomioTV. We have been highly successful in delivering advanced TV technology to a broad spectrum of hotel and hospitality segments, which will now provide Cabletime with a solid base from which to expand the system, strengthened by the power of its own IPTV hardware and software solutions.”
The acquisition, which is effective immediately, will see production and development of the company’s product lines being integrated, although a strong, separate brand is expected to be revealed which refers to roomioTV’s heritage. Cabletime will also work with existing channel partners in its major markets to introduce the roomioTV solution. As part of the acquisition, Cabletime has signed a supply agreement with roomioTV’s primary US integration partner. The two organisations will work closely to introduce the new total hospitality TV package to the market.
The Cabletime MediaStar range provides TV/AV and multimedia distribution products primarily for medium to large enterprises, which require future-proof, stable and proven solutions for live TV, corporate communications, multicasts, music TV, training and digital signage.
