RCI TV goes public

RCI today announced that RCI TV, its innovative web-based television network that until now was exclusive for RCI subscribing members, is live and available to all consumers on RCI.com. This new accessibility allows the general public to view educational and entertaining “Resort Showcase” and “Destination” channels along with other information dedicated to increasing timeshare industry awareness and promoting the benefits of vacation ownership. Through the Resort Showcase channel, prospective purchasers can also link directly to selected developers’ websites for more information or a chance to visit resorts.

In coordination with these efforts, RCI has also signed a deal with Resort & Residence TV, a new network that reaches millions of households on DirectTV through its travel, lifestyle and real estate programs. Over the next six months, RCI will run 1,200 TV advertisements that are interactive and allow Resort & Residence viewers to navigate from the ad to an interactive screen where they can use their remote controls to watch videos, request more information or obtain a promotional code which they can use on RCI.com to enter a competition to win a free vacation.

RCI will also run an ad on the CBS Super Screen in New York’s Times Square from December 1, 2009, through January 1, 2010, as part of its outreach efforts.

“The overwhelming response to RCI TV from our members and affiliates continues to push us to expand this unique network that is truly revolutionizing the vacation planning experience,” said Geoff Ballotti, CEO, RCI. “We believe the robust content we’re able to provide our members through RCI.com – which has been averaging at least 3 million visits a month – alongside specially created channels which take an entertaining look at the timeshare industry will also benefit the general public. We’re excited about the benefits that both the public accessibility to RCI TV as well as the exposure through Resort & Residence Television will bring to the industry and we’ll continue working to bring innovative solutions to our members, affiliates and all consumers.”

RCI subscribing members will notice enhancements to RCI TV as well. RCI TV is now one of the primary navigation tabs on RCI.com granting members quick and simple access from anywhere on the site. The system now also offers more robust navigation that allows users to more easily select and view channel, category and video quality options to aid streaming. Another enhancement is the integration of the RCI online resort directory with RCI TV. From the RCI resort videos located within the Resort Showcase channel, members will have the option to navigate from the resort video to obtain more resort information along with the Search Availability function which links visitors straight to RCI’s patent-pending search pages, returning all available vacation options for that resort for members to review.

Source: Group RCI.