Wifirst launches "Stream & Cast", a managed Google Chromecast solution

For several years now, SVoD platforms (Netflix, OCS, MyCanal) have been capturing a considerable share of the audience for so-called "linear" TV. This trend is set to continue, and by 2023 the number of French people subscribing to an SVoD program could reach over 10.4 million*. There are over 18,000 hotels in France, with no fewer than 650,000 rooms and almost as many TV screens. This represents a colossal TV budget for hoteliers, who are all the more frustrated that their clientele, led by millennials, are unable to watch their SVoD content on the TV in their hotel room, and systematically end up watching their series on their smartphone or tablet.

By launching "Stream & Cast", Wifirst is responding to a strong expectation on the part of hoteliers and their customers.

This is why Wifirst is launching "Stream & Cast", which reconciles guests with theTV experience offered in hotels. Stream & Cast" enables hoteliers to amortize the use of their TVs and increase customer satisfaction. Wifirst's solution is based on Google's Chromecast product, a dongle that connects to WiFi and enables guests to consume their content on the TV screen in the hotel room just as they do at home.

We're delighted to officially announce the launch of our Stream & Cast offer. Establishments already benefiting from the offer have been won over, and tell us how satisfied their customers are, leaving rave reviews on Booking and Tripadvisor. This offer meets a strong and legitimate expectation on the part of travelers. Etienne Détrie, Marketing Director, Wifirst

Adapting a Google product to Hospitality

At the hotel, plugging in the Google Chromecast isn't enough to make it work. Initially designed for the general public using a set-top box, this Google product is not compatible with collective WiFi in a hotel context. So Wifirst's R&D teams developed a unique technology, creating a private WiFi network for each hotel room. This private, secure WiFi connection is a prerequisite for using the Google Chromecast. To achieve this, Wifirst has been drawing on its expertise since 2002: on-site WiFi surveys by experts, installation of new-generation WiFi hotspots, 5GHz frequency coverage, Internet connection via the Wifirst core network, 24/7 supervision and customer service, etc.

Example of a "seamless route" application

It's 8:30 a.m., you start season 2 of your favorite TV series on the subway, and finish the episode during your lunch break. That same day, you're out of town and sleeping in a hotel. Thanks to Wifirst's Stream & Cast, your journey can continue uninterrupted. In the evening, all you have to do is connect to the hotel room's private WiFi network to continue watching the episode, on the TV screen, right where you left off!

*according to Digital TV Research (September 2018)