A lodging entertainment system has a head end connected via a distribution
system to a plurality of guest terminals. The head end includes a
satellite dish and a plurality of integrated receiver decoders connected
to the satellite dish for decoding programming received from the
satellite dish. The lodging entertainment system includes a method for
providing an interactive session between a guest terminal and a selected
one of the integrated receiver decoders. In implementing this method, the
system receives buy data indicative of a guest's purchase of programming
available via the satellite dish. The system then allocates a selected
one of the integrated receiver decoders for exclusive use by the guest
terminal. The system then provides the guest terminal with access to and
control of the selected integrated receiver decoder.
