Rovi Powers Cox's Interactive Program Guide

Cox Communications, the country's third-largest cable provider, has a deal with Rovi to use the company's technology to power an interactive program guide on its online and mobile platforms. Cox has used the Silicon Valley company's IPG for its TV service for some time, made available via a set-top-box.

The deal is a multi-year agreement, although the companies offered no other details. It is a sign that operators are moving beyond their core business. And as programming is available elsewhere, navigation tools will be key.

"As consumers look to access entertainment content across various devices and platforms, cable MSO service providers are delivering content through broadband and mobile expanding beyond the cable set-top-box platform," stated Rovi executive Samir Armaly.

The Rovi IPG offers multiple opportunities for advertising to be attached to the listings.

Separately, Rovi helps providers serve interactive ads. Rovi allows providers the option of using an Enhanced Television/Enhanced Binary Interchange Format link to power iTV.

Previously known as Macrovision, Rovi completed its acquisition of Gemstar-TV Guide in 2008, which owned the TV Guide-branded IPG.

In October, it joined a coalition that also included MovieLabs, CableLabs and Comcast to launch the Entertainment Identifier Registry, a nonprofit global operation aimed at more easily cataloging movies, TV shows and other video and audio offerings. Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures are backers.

In the third quarter, the NASDAQ-traded Rovi posted a 21% gain in revenue to $138 million. Net income swung from a $12 million loss to a $36 million profit.

1 comment about "Rovi Powers Cox's Interactive Program Guide".
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  1. Dean Collins from Cognation Inc, December 20, 2010 at 1:46 p.m.

    TV Guide data is ridiculously priced and hard to obtain worldwide.

    If someone have ways to obtain this data anywhere in the world apart from Rovi etc then please email me (details in my profile).

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