How to navigate the new world of TV services

TV technology has gone beyond entertainment, now providing additional benefits experienced by patients, students and clients of businesses of every type. Satisfying clients’ insatiable desire to be entertained, engaged and informed is a must.

Video streaming now accounts for more than two-thirds of Internet traffic, and this percentage will only continue to grow (to 82 percent by 2021). One big reason why: Everyone—from hospital patients to hotel guests to university students—want more flexibility to consume TV how they prefer.

As expectations change across all industries, including healthcare, hospitality and education, organizations look for flexible TV options built on a digital infrastructure that makes delivering TV how their clients prefer all possible.

The viewer habits changing every business for the better

For healthcare organizations, studies show that the benefit of having video options is twofold. Satisfied patients recover faster—and have lower readmission rates, enabling hospitals to receive reimbursements sooner. According to the same study, for hospitals and other healthcare organizations, amenities such as a wide variety of channels can improve their patient satisfaction scores.

In the hospitality industry, the trend is to give guests a homelike experience—where they can cuddle up and binge, binge, binge. Ideally, they can effortlessly watch numerous shows and movies from their in-room TV.

TV is just as critical across college campuses. As competition for attracting students increases, higher education institutions must find creative ways to stand out. Since college students today are digital natives expecting entertainment at their fingertips, innovative TV solutions can be a useful means to help attract and retain students. Students want to watch anytime, anywhere on campus using their iOS and Android devices as well as Mac and PC-compatible tablets, laptops and desktops.

What businesses need to look for in TV solution providers

Meeting expectations from any end user once required specific on-premises equipment that burdened healthcare organizations, hotels and universities with installation and maintenance. But that’s changing.

Today, organizations have more flexibility than ever before, allowing them to find what best fits their business in their industry. The key is to ensure delivering TV over a strong digital infrastructure.

How do you know if you have that key? Here are three things to look for in a vendor.

Equipment: Organizations can choose a set-top box for each TV on site, boxless options, or video-streaming solutions that provide TV services without straining IT resources.

Robust programming: Businesses also can choose flexible HDTV channel lineups and premium bundled packages for specific audiences. Organizations can even provide customized programming packages, tailored for different locations.

Reliability: Thanks to video options delivered over fiber-based networks, a more reliable picture can be delivered. (Access to fiber, by the way, is increasing.)

Client demand for TV raises the stakes

Today’s client expect choices when it comes to TV, so it’s perfectly reasonable for organizations to need flexible options to deliver on those expectations. See the choices organizations now have to make it happen.

See the choices organizations now have to make it happen.