There are technology solutions which could be implemented, but it seems a bit silly when the solution really is a piece of paper which says:

2 WXXX Local NBC Affiliate

and so on.

I realize that you don't have to be literate to operate a TV, but most business travelers are, so it's not that hard.

Absolutely, however, I have been in a few properties that can't accomplish that. Printed lineup did not match actual lineup. But then Comcast has the same problem at times, and they are one you think would be on top of this.

I'm talking about "cable" channels, not broadcast channels.

For example TNT showing Major Crimes at 6 pm instead of 9 pm (because TNTE instead of TNTP used).

USA showing Cover Affairs at 7 pm instead of 10 pm (because USAE instead of USAP used).

AMC showing Mad Men at 7 pm instead of 10 pm (because AMCE instead of AMCP used).

And, btw, I think I know why this happens so much: The east coast feeds are not really called AMCE or USAE or TNTE on most lineup charts, they're simply called by their base name (AMC, USA, TNT, etc). It's only the Pacific feeds that get the "P" added at the end in most lineup charts. (I regularly get messages on my TiVo that my lneup has changed, to delete network XXX and add network XXXP.)

So the person setting up the cable system who doesn't know that they have to look for a "P" at the end sees "USA", and adds that, and thus the east coast feeds up on a California hotel system.

And, of course, not all "cable" networks have dual feeds. Networks which are primarily live, such as news, weather, and sports channels, use single feeds everywhere (as well as some small "cable" network that don't want to spend money on multiple feeds, but those are less often on limited-channel hotel systems). So the person setting up the hotel TV system has to know which networks they need to look for "P" at the end and which networks they don't.

LOL Where? In fantasy land? ;)

We're in the middle of a change in how media is consumed. Fewer and fewer people are interested in appointment TV (as in, scheduled) and they're becoming much more interested in on-demand TV. I can see a day where TV "channels" as we know them go away completely, except perhaps for "breaking news," live events and weather, and everything else is on an on-demand menu that you select.

So "standardized TV channels" in 2015 is beginning to sound like "AM Stereo" in 1985 - a discussion that was quickly obviated by events.

TV delivery and consumption is changing, but your vision is much too narrow.

TV channels that deliver "live" programming (national and local news, sports, weather, business, etc.) and event/must-see productions (awards shows, reality competition shows, Scandal, Game of Thrones, etc.) will still be valued. One can build a list of at least of 20 such channels very easily.

Actually, I believe the pie will be sliced a bit differently. There will be "live" programming (breaking news, sports, and other time-sensitive events) and then there will be "on-demand" programming (everything else) that may be geographically time restricted until they eliminate the current concept of prime-time scheduling.

It irritates me to see programs that are time-delayed trying to include real-time social media content. Works great for the east coast but not so much for us west coasters.

Hmmm, just about every hotel I have ever been in has a channel lineup card to tell you what channel a station is on. This is for Marriott, Hilton , IHG, whatever chain. And more and more are getting the guide right on the TV via a button on the remote. Now as for when a program airs, it really depends on which feed they are showing, east coast or west coast.

I'd rather they make High Definition a company wide standard.

You can always change the station. I do all the time.

I just stayed at the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids (a terrific property, BTW), where almost all of the channels were HD (to answer one poster's issue) but the TV had the built-in option to stream Nexflix, Hulu or Pandora using your own personal account.

The issue with streaming, especially in hotels, is that a lot of bandwidth (1.5-5 Mbs is typical) is required for a decent ("almost-DVD") quality picture. If you have 300 rooms and even if only 100 are streaming, you will need a huge internet pipe to maintain the service level for all guests.

Not remotely near 100% IME with Marriott and often they or the on-screen is woefully out of date. It sucks to be reading tiny card or fooling around with strange remotes late at night early AM with contacts out / no reading glasses. I'm lucky to get 1/2 hour down time before passing out and hate wasting 10 minutes of that finding something.

My bigger peeve is the TV's that always turn onto the PPV or hotel propaganda menus. So you've finally found your channel and it's a battle each time you turn it on. At a FI this morning I counted 5 keystrokes that were necessary each time to get to "live" TV.

First World Problems!

I was talking to the lady in charge of the lounge at one property and she said that they had switched from Fox to CNN and got slammed with complaints from regular customers. Fox has more viewers than CNN and MSNBC combined so I guess the lounge just plays to the biggest audience.

Outside the US, CNN is pretty much standard in the lounges, IME.

When adjusted for the age, education and income ranges desired by advertisers, the ratings are much closer.

While we can debate Fox's political leanings, its noisy and annoying sound effects are irrefutable.