The Ritz-Carlton Signs With LodgeNet for HDTV Solution

The Ritz-Carlton Signs With LodgeNet for HDTV Solution

LodgeNet Offerings Include LodgeNet sigNETure TV Platform and sigNETure HDTV for High-Definition Broadcast, Satellite and Video-On-Demand Programming

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ:LNET), the world's largest provider of interactive television and broadband solutions to hotels, announced today it has entered into an agreement with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR), under which LodgeNet is extending its exclusive Master Agreement to serve all properties of The Ritz-Carlton within the United States and Canada through 2011.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000310/LODGELOGO )

The agreement, representing approximately 11,000 guest rooms, calls for LodgeNet to install its latest sigNETure TV(R) platform to LodgeNet served hotels of The Ritz-Carlton, along with additional properties not currently served by LodgeNet. Additionally, LodgeNet is offering hotels of The Ritz-Carlton its sigNETure HDTV(SM) platform, integrating emerging industry standard Pro:Idiom(TM) content security technology to enable delivery of the broadest array of high-definition broadcast and premium satellite programming as well as high-definition video-on-demand entertainment.

"It was important to us that LodgeNet has been actively contributing to and adopting emerging industry standards for secure delivery of premium HDTV content into hotels. LodgeNet's solution gives us a solid foundation for meeting our high standards and those of our guests today and into the future as the company continues to pursue innovations," said Barry Shuler, Senior Vice President IT Strategy for Marriott International. "Since 1993, we have come to trust that LodgeNet will deliver on its promise to provide the latest in entertainment and technology at superior service levels."

"We are extremely proud to extend and expand our relationship with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and its award-winning hotel properties," said Scott C. Petersen, President and CEO for LodgeNet. "This agreement is a validation of our sigNETure(SM) Solutions by one of the industry's premier hotel brands, a testament to our mutual concern for the needs of the hotel guest and an unwavering commitment to quality."

About LodgeNet

LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation ( http://www.lodgenet.com/ ) is the world's largest provider of interactive television and broadband solutions to hotels, including resort and casino hotels, throughout the United States and Canada as well as select international markets. These services include on- demand movies, music and music videos, on-demand videogames, Internet on television, and television on-demand programming, as well as high-speed Internet access, all designed to serve the needs of the lodging industry and the traveling public. LodgeNet provides service to more than one million interactive guest pay rooms and serves more than 6,000 hotel properties worldwide. LodgeNet estimates that during 2004 approximately 275 million travelers had access to LodgeNet's interactive television systems. LodgeNet is listed on NASDAQ and trades under the symbol LNET.

About Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, MD, (USA) currently operates 59 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Over 20 projects are under development around the globe with hotel openings planned for Grand Cayman, Moscow and two in Beijing over the next year. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information contact Ritz-Carlton toll free reservations at 1 (800) 241-3333, your travel consultant or visit http://www.ritzcarlton.com/ .

LodgeNet, the LodgeNet logo, sigNETure, sigNETure TV, and sigNETure HDTV are service marks or registered trademarks of LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation. Pro:Idiom is a trademark of LG Electronics Inc. Other trademarks may be claimed as the property of others.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000310/LODGELOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation

CONTACT: Ann Parker, Director of Corporate Communications, of LodgeNet
Entertainment Corporation, +1-605-988-1000, communications@lodgenet.com

Web site: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/
http://www.lodgenet.com/

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