Rovi: Six degrees of content

Rovi's upcoming TotalGuide is touted as a next-generation media guide that allows users to search for content from broadcasters, Internet services, and their own personal libraries on a single interface. Its "six degrees" navigation uses relational data from Rovi so users can jump from one piece of data to another.

The company announced its collaboration with 15 providers earlier this year at CES, and in September at IBC introduced another 19 providers to TotalGuide's rolls. Included among them are Betfair, LOVEFiLM, SPORT1, volksmusik.tv, among other regional and EU-wide content channels.

A key component of TotalGuide is its HbbTV (Hybrid Broadband Television) specification-compliant design. Providers following the spec can easily migrate their content onto TotalGuide, the company says. Look for the IPG, in development for close to two years now, to roll out in 2011.

Rovi has a storied history in the European market. Its purchase of Gemstar from TV Guide put it out front in the EPG (electronic program guide) segment, and its guides are licensed to most of the major pay-TV operators on the continent including Sky, NDS, Canal+ and UPC Broadband.