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Apple TV for hotels and TVSA
ROOMNET's collaboration with Spectrum Enterprise and its TV Streaming Access (TVSA) app is the future of TV.

But what about the past? In this article, we explore the journey from black and white to apps-based TV...

Nondescript repeats and rushed bathroom breaks...

Remember the days when TV schedules dictated our evenings? When families gathered around the television at fixed times—a careful ritual, a shared experience that punctuated daily life?

Or perhaps more appropriately, arguments over what channel to watch, countless nondescript repeats of tired sitcoms, rushed bathroom breaks, telephone calls interrupting cliffhangers...

However you choose to remember it, the way we watch TV has changed.

Today, we curate our own viewing experience, seamlessly switching between on-demand content, live TV, and streaming platforms—watching what we want, when we want, how we want.

Today’s viewer has infinite choice and complete flexibility. Terms like Netflix ‘n chill, binge-watching, and streaming wars are part of our daily lexicon—referring to the 200+ platforms competing for our attention (at the time of writing!).

So, what does this mean for traditional broadcast TV? Will streaming signal the end of broadcast as we know it?

Yesteryear's Top-of-the-Range Television

Broadcast TV – Appointment Viewing

Broadcast TV once relied entirely on linear programming. Shows aired at fixed times, encouraging "appointment viewing."

Major cultural moments—like the 1969 moon landing (watched by 125–150 million) or the MASH* finale (106 million viewers in 1983)—brought people together through the screen.

But this model existed mainly due to a lack of choice.

Cable & Satellite TV – Expanding Choices

Cable and satellite services changed everything, offering a broad array of channels catering to niche audiences—news, sports, movies, and more. Broadcast networks no longer held the monopoly.

Pay-Per-View and On-Demand

Then came PPV and early on-demand services, giving viewers control over when they watched. It was the beginning of the shift toward personalized, viewer-led content consumption.

The Digital Revolution

DVRs like TiVo enabled viewers to record and skip ads, disrupting scheduled viewing. But the real change came with faster internet and smart TVs—ushering in an entirely new era.

The Birth of Streaming

In 2007, Netflix evolved from DVD rentals into a streaming giant. “Binge-watching” became a thing. Then came Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Apple TV+... the floodgates opened.

With countless options, we left behind scheduled shows, ad breaks, and channel-hopping.

Streaming vs. Live TV

Streaming has led many to “cut the cord”—ditching cable in favor of digital platforms.

Still, not everyone benefits equally. Challenges like fragmented content, missing local news or sports, and subscription overload have emerged. And for hotels, removing live TV is a bold, often risky move.

A TV Service for All Your Guests...

Why?

Because not every guest is tech-savvy. Not every guest has streaming accounts. And not every guest wants only on-demand content.

There’s a comfort to live TV—sports, news, awards shows, even good old-fashioned channel surfing. Why should hotels aiming for five-star service exclude all this?

Getting the Balance Right...

A premium hotel must offer a premium TV experience. That means live TV and streaming apps, tailored to every guest.

Yet many hoteliers are stuck. Cumbersome casting, missing apps (no Netflix?), and clunky interfaces make delivering this ideal a real challenge.

Say Hello to Apps-Based TV

The Future of TV

ROOMNET's collaboration with Spectrum Enterprise through the TV Streaming Access (TVSA) app solves this.

Guests can stream directly on the TV, no casting required. They can even download their own apps during their stay.

TVSA brings together 200+ live channels and a large on-demand library—traditional TV, with a modern twist.

Powered by Apple TV’s lightning-fast interface, it’s a seamless, just-like-home experience.

Sounds great, right?

A modern, flexible, guest-friendly solution.
The future of hotel TV has arrived.