Post by High Priestess on Mar 1, 2016 4:12:03 GMT
Shella shared on Home Sharers of San Francisco 2 years ago in November 2013
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-19380
How important is cable tv to guests?
Do you think cable tv is an important amenity to guests? If I invest in the cost of a tv and cable box for my studio-like room, will it generate more interest/bookings?
Thanks for any advice...
15 comments
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Patty
Patty2 years ago
I'm interested in what other hosts' experiences have been. My room is TV-free, but I offer guests access to my wi-fi. Nobody has commented on the lack of cable, but I also wonder if it would be a good amenity to add. The downside would be the change in atmosphere, which is now quite pleasant and calm.
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rob
rob2 years ago
I wondered about this when I started hosting. I have a tv and netflix, but no standard tv channels or cable. I've had only one person inquire if I had tv with premium channels. None of my guests have commented on the lack of tv. Maybe they use their laptops or maybe they are just out enjoying the city. I'm still not decided on the issue. I think I will wait for more feedback. I don't want it myself, but I do want my guests comfortable.
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Shella
Shella2 years ago
I'm glad I'm not the only one wondering about this.
One of my thoughts is that I'm attracting guests who don't care about tv/cable, because my room clearnly states it doesn't have it. So, we might be losing customers who enjoy tv on their vacation. It will be interesting to hear what others think. Thanks!
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Shella
Shella2 years ago
PS I also offer wifi access so folks can stream media on their own devices.
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Marianne
Marianne2 years ago
In my first few TV free renter experiences, I got two comments that TV would be a nice improvement. Since installing TV with cable, I have had two renters who said they enjoyed a football game during the stay, three with children who appreciated the TV, and another who enjoyed the DVDs that I have on hand with a player. I definitely think it reduces your customers if you do not have TV with cable.
Reply Like 1 like
Jeannie
Jeannie 2 years ago
I have no cable and no TV's in my rooms. I would feel disappointed if my guests came to San Francisco and watched TV! Sorry, I am a TV hater!!
Reply Like 2 likes
Melanie
Melanie2 years ago
I have never owned a TV in my entire life, and it is noted in my description as well as amenities checklist. None of my guests have commented. Most have laptops and earphones they plug into if they want to watch something smaller than life. WiFi is provided. That being said, I am having an some extra outlets installed in my guest room, in case this ever becomes a deal breaking issue. It would have to be a pretty good deal.
Reply Like 1 like
Valeria
Valeria2 years ago
I was also wondering about TV. Currently I have WiFi and no TV. My guests come with computers and told me that TV is not smth they are looking for while staying in SF in general plus they can use computers to watch whatever they like. So, for now I am staying TV free
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Lynn
Lynn2 years ago
I have a 20" TV w DVD slot- antenna - no cable- I've only had one guest in 2 years that enjoyed the tv. a couple have watched DVD films I provide- have a big box to chose from- always suggest wild parrots of telegraph hill. also have larger tv w DVD slot in living room- two guests took advantage of that room & watched DVDs - sports fanatics can walk up the street to sports bars. all in all- my guests care more about wi-fi. at least one regular guest watches on his own iPad
Reply Like
Phil
Phil2 years ago
I broke down and got basic cable for my units. I find that guests want to watch the news and sports. Foreign guests have told my it helps learn english to turn on english language TV.
Reply Like
Gayle
Gayle2 years ago
I have cable in my studio rental, but no premium channels. I think guests coming for longer stays (I've had a couple of instances where guests were here for work and stayed a month) appreciate having cable. Also, older guests who are visiting their grown kids in the neighborhood seem to like it. I think TV is less important with younger guests and tourists who are out seeing the sights from morning to night.
So, it really depends on the range of guests you wouldl like to host and what their priorities are.
Hope this is helpful!
Reply Like 2 likes
Emily
Emily2 years ago
In 3 years I have never offered TV to my guests, and never once did anyone complain. They are mostly here to see the city and they all have their laptops and I've always provided Wifi, which I believe is a necessity, it's usually the first thing people ask about when they arrive.
In one of my units I did however add a smart TV that has Netflix just because I wanted to boost interest in the place, and it's not where I personally live so it wouldn't be bothering me. The guests that have stayed in the place since adding this, have commented how much they appreciate it.
So I don't think people expect TV, but when it's there some guests appreciate it.
There's my opinion........
Reply Like 3 likes
Wona
Wona2 years ago
I offer a TV but no cable. Only one guest commented cable would have been nice, but it wasn't a dealbreaker.
Reply Like
Peter
Peter2 years ago
Here's my situation: I don't offer TV, but I offer Wifi. My listing clearly states there is no TV. I live on the upper floor and rent out my ground floor.
Here's my experience: I have had perhaps three or four guests asking, but none were too upset when I told them there was no TV but there is WiFi. Most people asking were more senior folks staying more than a week. Young travelers with a packed, active itinerary are usually exhausted when they return from their day's adventures and explorations, and are more concerned about a comfy bed. I am just about the pull the trigger and upgrade to a TiVo Roamio - with Roamio (or with TiVo Streaming), you can watch all your cable channels and recorded programs from up to four laptops or mobile devices simultaneously from anywhere in the world. This way, if a guests wants to watch TV, I'll just give them the password and they can watch TV on their laptops or mobile devices. Most folks travel with them these days. The only bit of bother with this plan is that I will need to change the password each time a guest leaves (otherwise they can continue to access my service even after they leave) but that should take only a few minutes.
Reply Like 1 like
Rachel
Rachel2 years ago
We've been renting our furnished apartment in SF Noe Valley for more than 3 years. We have always provided a TV with basic TV channels and a DVD player and lots of movies for them to choose from, including movies set in S.F.
For the last several years, the basic TV channels were provided for free, throughout San Francisco, over the cable, so those were the stations we had ... basic channels like NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX-2, PBS, etc, and crystal clear reception because it was over the cable. Then, in November 2012, the free service STOPPED! Bah! So we purchased an antenna for digital over-the-air channels. This is OK, we still get the major channels, in fact, more channels than before, but ...since it's over-the-air, sometimes the signal gets a little flaky. Oh well! I'm still kinda bummed that Comcast decided to turn the free signal off.
Having at least the basic TV channels does come in handy ... I remember the Royal Wedding a couple years back ... we had a couple visiting from South Africa, and they were just thrilled that they could stay home and watch the whole thing from the apartment.
Meanwhile ... so far nobody has complained about the lack of the premium TV channels. I agree with what Emily says ... if premium cable TV channels were provided, people would use it and enjoy it, but if it's not there, no biggie. I also agree with Shella about it being a self-selecting thing ... probably I'm not getting complaints because I'm attracting guests for whom cable TV is not a big priority ... if it was a big priority, they'd choose a different place, right? Reading between the lines, it means I'm losing some potential guests because of not having cable.
And I agree with Skate and Jeannie about being a TV hater! I'm appalled by the way TV can take over our lives and prevent us from doing cool stuff, AND ON TOP OF THAT, I don't want to support corporate cable / entertainment companies like Comcast and Clear Channel, etc ... I don't want to be padding their pockets with more money by paying them a subscription! So yeah ... it's complicated. My sweetheart keeps saying, he thinks we should just break down and get a cable subscription for the guests downstairs, but so far we (or I??!) haven't caved in.
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-19380
How important is cable tv to guests?
Do you think cable tv is an important amenity to guests? If I invest in the cost of a tv and cable box for my studio-like room, will it generate more interest/bookings?
Thanks for any advice...
15 comments
Follow
Like
Patty
Patty2 years ago
I'm interested in what other hosts' experiences have been. My room is TV-free, but I offer guests access to my wi-fi. Nobody has commented on the lack of cable, but I also wonder if it would be a good amenity to add. The downside would be the change in atmosphere, which is now quite pleasant and calm.
Reply Like
rob
rob2 years ago
I wondered about this when I started hosting. I have a tv and netflix, but no standard tv channels or cable. I've had only one person inquire if I had tv with premium channels. None of my guests have commented on the lack of tv. Maybe they use their laptops or maybe they are just out enjoying the city. I'm still not decided on the issue. I think I will wait for more feedback. I don't want it myself, but I do want my guests comfortable.
Reply Like
Shella
Shella2 years ago
I'm glad I'm not the only one wondering about this.
One of my thoughts is that I'm attracting guests who don't care about tv/cable, because my room clearnly states it doesn't have it. So, we might be losing customers who enjoy tv on their vacation. It will be interesting to hear what others think. Thanks!Reply Like
Shella
Shella2 years ago
PS I also offer wifi access so folks can stream media on their own devices.
Reply Like
Marianne
Marianne2 years ago
In my first few TV free renter experiences, I got two comments that TV would be a nice improvement. Since installing TV with cable, I have had two renters who said they enjoyed a football game during the stay, three with children who appreciated the TV, and another who enjoyed the DVDs that I have on hand with a player. I definitely think it reduces your customers if you do not have TV with cable.
Reply Like 1 like
Jeannie
Jeannie 2 years ago
I have no cable and no TV's in my rooms. I would feel disappointed if my guests came to San Francisco and watched TV! Sorry, I am a TV hater!!
Reply Like 2 likes
Melanie
Melanie2 years ago
I have never owned a TV in my entire life, and it is noted in my description as well as amenities checklist. None of my guests have commented. Most have laptops and earphones they plug into if they want to watch something smaller than life. WiFi is provided. That being said, I am having an some extra outlets installed in my guest room, in case this ever becomes a deal breaking issue. It would have to be a pretty good deal.
Reply Like 1 like
Valeria
Valeria2 years ago
I was also wondering about TV. Currently I have WiFi and no TV. My guests come with computers and told me that TV is not smth they are looking for while staying in SF in general plus they can use computers to watch whatever they like. So, for now I am staying TV free
Reply Like
Lynn
Lynn2 years ago
I have a 20" TV w DVD slot- antenna - no cable- I've only had one guest in 2 years that enjoyed the tv. a couple have watched DVD films I provide- have a big box to chose from- always suggest wild parrots of telegraph hill. also have larger tv w DVD slot in living room- two guests took advantage of that room & watched DVDs - sports fanatics can walk up the street to sports bars. all in all- my guests care more about wi-fi. at least one regular guest watches on his own iPad
Reply Like
Phil
Phil2 years ago
I broke down and got basic cable for my units. I find that guests want to watch the news and sports. Foreign guests have told my it helps learn english to turn on english language TV.
Reply Like
Gayle
Gayle2 years ago
I have cable in my studio rental, but no premium channels. I think guests coming for longer stays (I've had a couple of instances where guests were here for work and stayed a month) appreciate having cable. Also, older guests who are visiting their grown kids in the neighborhood seem to like it. I think TV is less important with younger guests and tourists who are out seeing the sights from morning to night.
So, it really depends on the range of guests you wouldl like to host and what their priorities are.
Hope this is helpful!
Reply Like 2 likes
Emily
Emily2 years ago
In 3 years I have never offered TV to my guests, and never once did anyone complain. They are mostly here to see the city and they all have their laptops and I've always provided Wifi, which I believe is a necessity, it's usually the first thing people ask about when they arrive.
In one of my units I did however add a smart TV that has Netflix just because I wanted to boost interest in the place, and it's not where I personally live so it wouldn't be bothering me. The guests that have stayed in the place since adding this, have commented how much they appreciate it.
So I don't think people expect TV, but when it's there some guests appreciate it.
There's my opinion........
Reply Like 3 likes
Wona
Wona2 years ago
I offer a TV but no cable. Only one guest commented cable would have been nice, but it wasn't a dealbreaker.
Reply Like
Peter
Peter2 years ago
Here's my situation: I don't offer TV, but I offer Wifi. My listing clearly states there is no TV. I live on the upper floor and rent out my ground floor.
Here's my experience: I have had perhaps three or four guests asking, but none were too upset when I told them there was no TV but there is WiFi. Most people asking were more senior folks staying more than a week. Young travelers with a packed, active itinerary are usually exhausted when they return from their day's adventures and explorations, and are more concerned about a comfy bed. I am just about the pull the trigger and upgrade to a TiVo Roamio - with Roamio (or with TiVo Streaming), you can watch all your cable channels and recorded programs from up to four laptops or mobile devices simultaneously from anywhere in the world. This way, if a guests wants to watch TV, I'll just give them the password and they can watch TV on their laptops or mobile devices. Most folks travel with them these days. The only bit of bother with this plan is that I will need to change the password each time a guest leaves (otherwise they can continue to access my service even after they leave) but that should take only a few minutes.
Reply Like 1 like
Rachel
Rachel2 years ago
We've been renting our furnished apartment in SF Noe Valley for more than 3 years. We have always provided a TV with basic TV channels and a DVD player and lots of movies for them to choose from, including movies set in S.F.
For the last several years, the basic TV channels were provided for free, throughout San Francisco, over the cable, so those were the stations we had ... basic channels like NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX-2, PBS, etc, and crystal clear reception because it was over the cable. Then, in November 2012, the free service STOPPED! Bah! So we purchased an antenna for digital over-the-air channels. This is OK, we still get the major channels, in fact, more channels than before, but ...since it's over-the-air, sometimes the signal gets a little flaky. Oh well! I'm still kinda bummed that Comcast decided to turn the free signal off.
Having at least the basic TV channels does come in handy ... I remember the Royal Wedding a couple years back ... we had a couple visiting from South Africa, and they were just thrilled that they could stay home and watch the whole thing from the apartment.
Meanwhile ... so far nobody has complained about the lack of the premium TV channels. I agree with what Emily says ... if premium cable TV channels were provided, people would use it and enjoy it, but if it's not there, no biggie. I also agree with Shella about it being a self-selecting thing ... probably I'm not getting complaints because I'm attracting guests for whom cable TV is not a big priority ... if it was a big priority, they'd choose a different place, right? Reading between the lines, it means I'm losing some potential guests because of not having cable.
And I agree with Skate and Jeannie about being a TV hater! I'm appalled by the way TV can take over our lives and prevent us from doing cool stuff, AND ON TOP OF THAT, I don't want to support corporate cable / entertainment companies like Comcast and Clear Channel, etc ... I don't want to be padding their pockets with more money by paying them a subscription! So yeah ... it's complicated. My sweetheart keeps saying, he thinks we should just break down and get a cable subscription for the guests downstairs, but so far we (or I??!) haven't caved in.
