Rovi Announces White-Label TotalGuide Application For Cable Service Providers

SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 2, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rovi Corporation (Nasdaq:ROVI) today announced TotalGuide xD, a customizable advanced media guide that connects and extends the cable video experience from set-top boxes to mobile devices, including tablets and smart phones. TotalGuide xD provides multiple system operators (MSOs) with a solution that addresses the rapid changes taking place within the digital entertainment market, as entertainment consumption quickly moves to an 'anytime, anyplace' experience. TotalGuide xD can enable cable subscribers with legacy native guide applications on their set-top boxes to now connect with and enjoy their favorite entertainment content from tablets and handheld devices, whether that content is broadcast TV, video on demand (VOD) or authenticated streaming video content, using one visually stunning mobile interface.  

The market for pay TV subscribers is becoming increasingly more crowded and competitive. TotalGuide xD is intended to help MSOs expand upon the engagement with their customers beyond their home television. As a fully-customizable white-label platform, the service allows MSOs to extend their user experience to other connected devices, starting with an iPad application. Powered by the Rovi Media Cloud web service, the platform can be deployed with minimal infrastructure costs and complete preservation of the MSO's unique brand identity.

"We're committed to providing consumers with access to the entertainment content they desire on any and all devices," said Corey Ferengul, executive vice president, product, Rovi Corporation. "As entertainment increasingly goes mobile via powerful tablet and smart phone devices, TotalGuide xD is the next step in our strategy to provide our MSO customers with innovative solutions that make their services stronger and the consumer experience the best and most current."

TotalGuide xD allows the consumer to access their entertainment content in exciting new ways. Features available on this platform include:

• Robust search functionality, enabling users to find their favorite TV shows and movies;
• Rovi "six degrees" discovery and recommendations, which helps consumers find more relevant video content and provides the flexibility to connect to a variety of video content sources such as authenticated video and playback on portable devices, as determined by each MSO;
• Dynamic recommendations including most popular, similar, friend recommendations and exclusive editorial recommendations from the Rovi editorial team;
• Social network connections via Facebook, Twitter and e-mail integration;
• Remote connections to set top boxes in the home to schedule DVR recordings, channel tune or start a VOD session; and
• Cross-device access to a subscriber user profile, which is designed to make access to content seamless across other TotalGuide-enabled devices.

Pennsylvania-based cable provider, Armstrong, has chosen to trial Rovi TotalGuide xD, including Rovi TotalGuide xD's iPad implementation. Armstrong currently deploys Rovi i-Guide to its subscriber base.