• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, January 4, 2011

Oberon Media, which distributes casual games to mobile, online and iTV outlets, has a deal to license rights to the game to TV set manufacturers, such as Samsung or Sony. Set owners will be able to play the puzzle challenge via remote control, with no game console needed.

Tetris, owned by the Tetris Co., will also be available on a TV set through an Internet-connected Blu-ray player. The game will be available during the first quarter of 2011.

Oberon has not announced any deals with manufacturers, although availability is scheduled for this quarter.

Tetris debuted in 1984, but its availability on a Nintendo Game Boy five years later helped spur it to become one of the most popular video games ever. Recently, it has found traction on mobile phones.

The Oberon iTV version will have a new "Space Mode" with mini-games, such as Light-Speed, Debris, Meteorite and alien, and added challenges.

In February, Oberon reached a deal with satellite provider Dish Network allowing Dish customers to play Tetris on TV screens for a monthly fee of $2.99. The game will be available during the first quarter of 2011.

Access, however, came only with a pay-TV subscription. Under the new arrangement, manufacturers of the Internet-enabled TVs could provide free access as a way to drive purchasing.