Rise of the UberGuide

In the past decade, the interactive program guide (IPG) has become an on-demand powerhouse, providing value-added services like live weather reporting, multi-day program listings, scheduling reminders, games and more. Add that to the DVR that's standard issue to customers today, and the program recording and scheduling functionality turn the interactive guide from a novelty to a necessity.

In a recent article for FierceCable, Steve Tranter of NDS coined the term "uber-guide" in calling for content guides that could be accessed and controlled from multiple devices and platforms--mobile phones, remote controls, whole home DVRs, PCs, gaming consoles--you name it.  Today's program guides are fast moving toward that reality.

Most of that move forward can be attributed to ongoing adoption and development of two technologies: tru2way, an open development standard that allows equipment makers, device manufacturers, software developers, and content providers to create products that can be used on any tru2way compliant platform or device; and EBIF (Enhanced Binary Interchange Format), a standard that helps operators add interactive services to legacy networks.

The bulking up of the electronic program guide has a bigger goal than just winning more subscribers: It's considered the last big step toward true interactive television--that long-desired capability for real-time, two-way communication between the TV audience and programmers/advertisers.

Video on demand services, first offered in 2000, are de rigeur for operators today. And fast moving into the gotta-have slot is access and control of the guide via smartphone, a feature piloted last year by FiOS.

Fierce competition between operators and the encroaching OTT market means interactive guide features are being added fast and furious.

Let's take a look at how different operators are pushing interactive program guide technology forward.