Rovi to launch HTML5 Electronic Program Guide for J:COM

Friday, January 31st, 2014
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First G-Guide Based on HTML from Rovi to Deploy on J:COM’s New Set-Top Box, “Smart J:COM Box”

SANTA CLARA, Calif. and TOKYO — Rovi Corporation (NASDAQ: ROVI), a global leader in entertainment discovery, today announced that Rovi’s G-Guide HTML is planned to be launched on the new set-top box, “Smart J:COM Box,” developed by the largest cable television operator in Japan, Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (J:COM). Anticipated to be available beginning February 1, this is the first deployment of G-Guide based on HTML. The new G-Guide features advanced discovery capabilities such as rich metadata, search function, and a browser-based interface to help drive a robust consumer entertainment experience across J:COM’s cable television services via the Smart J:COM Box. The set-top box can also work with tablets via J:COM’s application, “Xvie Remote” that is powered by G-Guide xD.

Rovi’s G-Guide HTML harnesses Rovi’s rich metadata and works with Rovi Cloud Services, a web-service platform that delivers program updates and content discovery enhancements. For J:COM subscribers, G-Guide HTML features a sleek TV listing grid designed to showcase rich images including cast and crew pictures; and Rovi’s “six-degrees” discovery capability to help J:COM subscribers quickly find relevant content that interests them from more than 75 J:COM cable TV channels. With regular TV listings, consumers often check for TV program scheduling just one to two days out. The “six-degrees” discovery feature is driven by Rovi data which serves as the connector between different pieces of content and makes it easy to move from one content piece to another. This enables viewers to find interesting TV programs they were not aware of, while also helping them discover when such programs will be on air again in the near future.

“As we looked at launching our new set-top box that delivers enjoyment of cable television service, it was a natural fit to expand our relationship with Rovi to help us advance the guide experience to a new level of enjoyment and personalization,” said Kazumasa Watanabe, GM, Service Planning Div., CATV Business Unit, J:COM. “Rovi’s G-Guide HTML provides integrated search, recommendations and cast metadata that not only makes it easier than ever for our customers to find programs, but also delivers “enjoyment of discovery” that enables them to connect with new programs.”

“Our collaboration with an industry leader like J:COM highlights our innovative offerings and our ability to help customers quickly and easily implement an optimal discovery experience across the TV and tablet,” said Chong-Ho Choi, Head of Product Sales and Marketing, Asia Pacific at Rovi. “As cable and Internet-based services converge, Rovi’s G-Guide HTML provides the scalability and flexibility needed to deploy new features or enhancements seamlessly and cost-effectively via the cloud.”

Rovi’s G-Guide HTML provides an advanced user interface that supports the integration of Internet-based content with traditional broadcast TV, and is designed to meet the needs of service providers as Japan’s broadcasting system transitions to “Hybridcast.” The guide’s Chumoku and Tokushu functions provide a deeper level of detailed programming information and recommendations, which makes it easier for viewers to discover new content from across various services without scrolling through thousands of programs.