Rovi has strengthened its next-generation media guide solution for the European market with the inclusion of Internet-based content from 15 individual content providers across Germany, France and the UK.

This news follows Rovi’s earlier announcement that additional digital content will be available through Rovi’s TotalGuide from a number of industry leading content providers in North America.

"The global marketplace is growing for consumer electronic devices with direct access to media from many sources, including the Internet. The current environment is complex for consumers," said Corey Ferengul, executive vice president of product management and marketing for Rovi Corporation. "Rovi’s TotalGuide can be a destination where consumers will find this confusion simplified. Consumers will be able to access media from multiple sources and devices, streamlining their digital home experience. We’re excited to be able to deliver this new consumer experience by working closely with content providers."

Rovi is working with major broadcasters such as ZDF, Five, ARD-Tagesschau, Das Vierte, NRJ-12, Arte, Bibel TV; and IP-based TV services such as golfdigital.tv, Berlin Fashion TV and Freshmilk TV. For video on demand (VOD), Rovi is working with pan-European content provider Diva AG; for user generated content Rovi is working with Dailymotion; for music videos with QTom; for games with PlayJam and radio services with tunin.fm. These content providers span multiple countries, some with in-country specific content.

Rovi also announced its support for Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV), a pan-European industry initiative that provides a specification for standardizing access to new media services such as catch-up TV, VOD, interactive advertising, personalization, voting, games and social networking as well as program-related services such as digital text and program guides.

By supporting HbbTV, other content and technology companies also working with the HbbTV specification will be able to readily migrate their content onto TotalGuide. HbbTV currently has support from approximately 30 digital entertainment companies including the leading broadcasters in France and Germany.

Story filed 09.01.10