Global Hyatt Chooses LodgeNet as Exclusive HDTV Interactive Provider for New Select Service Division

Global Hyatt Chooses LodgeNet as Exclusive HDTV Interactive Provider for New Select Service Division

In-Room Entertainment Solution Includes Full Range of HDTV Programming, Other Unique LodgeNet Services to Support New Hyatt Place Brand

CHICAGO and SIOUX FALLS, S.D., July 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Global Hyatt Corporation and LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ:LNET), the world leader in interactive TV & broadband solutions to hotels, today announced that LodgeNet has been selected as the exclusive provider of interactive TV and HDTV services for Global Hyatt's new upscale select service brand Hyatt Place. This landmark agreement marks the first between the two companies, with LodgeNet chosen for its unique ability to deliver HD premium satellite and VOD entertainment to the Hyatt Place brand in coordination with the company's aggressive brand growth initiatives.

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

Under the agreement, LodgeNet will install a Hyatt Place branded, digital- to-the-room HDTV solution in the more than 80 properties currently owned or managed by Global Hyatt Corporation, as well as newly-build Hyatt Place properties and participating franchisees.

In an effort to complement the Hyatt Place brand standard specifying HDTV displays in every guest room, each Hyatt Place will be equipped with the LodgeNet systems required to deliver available high-definition broadcast programming, premium satellite channels, and video-on-demand (VOD) movies, many of which will be available while they are still showing in theaters. Each room will also be equipped with daily subscription access to top professional and college sports packages through LodgeNet's industry-first Hotel SportsNet(SM) service. In addition, guests will also be able to enjoy other HD video content Hyatt Place may provide.

"LodgeNet aligns perfectly with the Hyatt Place brand focus on forward- thinking technology and a highly sensory guest experience," said Jim Abrahamson, Senior Vice President for Hyatt Corporation and president of Select Hotels Group. "As a new brand seeking to establish leadership in the higher end of the select service marketplace, we are counting heavily on the guest room television experience to carry our brand's identity and deliver on its brand promise, and that's why we chose LodgeNet."

"We look forward to playing a key role in re-branding more than 11,000 guest rooms with the Hyatt Place flag and helping Hyatt establish a strong foothold in a new market segment," said Scott C. Petersen, President & CEO for LodgeNet. "We are very pleased that Hyatt Place turned to us to assist in the launch of its exciting new hotel brand. It enables us to put our experience and technologies to work in helping Hyatt Place co-create its interactive TV solution. Our experienced corporate and field staff ensures we can assist in deploying that solution on pace with the brand's ambitious conversion schedule."

The first Hyatt Place hotel will open this summer in Lombard, outside of Chicago, Ill.

About LodgeNet

LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation ( http://www.lodgenet.com/ ) is the world leader in interactive TV and broadband solutions to hotels throughout the United States and Canada as well as select international markets. These services include on-demand movies, on-demand games, music and music videos, subscription sports programming 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 hotel rooms and serves more than 6,000 hotel properties worldwide. LodgeNet estimates that during 2005 approximately 300 million domestic and international travelers had access to LodgeNet's interactive television systems. In addition, LodgeNet is a leading innovator in the delivery of on-demand patient education, information and entertainment to healthcare facilities. LodgeNet is listed on NASDAQ and trades under the symbol LNET.

About Global Hyatt

There are 215 Hyatt branded hotels and resorts (over 90,000 rooms) in 43 countries around the world, operating under the Hyatt(R), Hyatt Regency(R), Grand Hyatt(R) and Park Hyatt(R) brands. Currently, there are an additional 38 Hyatt hotels and resorts under development, including 13 new hotels in China. Hyatt Corporation (domestic U.S., Canada and Caribbean hotels) and Hyatt International Corporation (international properties) are subsidiaries of Chicago-based Global Hyatt Corporation. Global Hyatt Corporation is also the owner of Hyatt Vacation Ownership, Inc. operators of the Hyatt Vacation Club (timeshare and fractional residential product), Hyatt Equities, L.L.C. (hotel ownership), Select Hotel Group L.L.C. (which owns, operates and franchises AmeriSuites hotels, Hyatt Place and Summerfield Suites hotels) and U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. (which franchises Hawthorn Suites, and Microtel Inns and Suites).

From the U.S. and Canada, reservations for any Hyatt hotel worldwide may be obtained by calling 1-800-233-1234 or logging onto http://www.hyatt.com/ .

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 , or
Lori Armon, Director, Corporate Public Relations of Hyatt Corporation,
+1-312-780-5709, larmon@corphq.hyatt.com

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

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