LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a world where home media is expanding beyond traditional broadcast TV to include renting and purchasing content from Internet based providers, the ability to browse, search and discover entertainment content is crucial. Rovi Corporation (Nasdaq:ROVI) today announced that it plans to add content from Showtime Networks and ZillionTV to its media guide solution for centralizing access to content from the Internet on the TV. This announcement expands upon the previously announced agreements with Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE:BBI) (NYSE:BBI.B) and CBS, broadening the amount of content available through Rovi's TotalGuide, which is now expected to include major motion pictures, network content and popular TV shows from content providers throughout North America. In a separate release Rovi also announced it is collaborating with 15 content providers throughout Europe (http://www.rovicorp.com/company/newscenter/pressreleases/1434_13076.htm).
Even with the increased amount of digital media available on the Internet, consumers are continuing to view their TVs as the central device for home entertainment. Nielsen's latest "Three Screen Report," published in December 2009, states that "consumers of all ages spend the majority of their video time (nearly 99%) in front of the television." As more and more content is brought on to the TV screen, whether it is through broadband or broadcast services, it will become more difficult to maintain a simplified clean environment where consumers can easily access the digital media they want.
Rovi's TotalGuide unifies search, discovery and recommendations to provide consumers with one destination where they can access content seamlessly from the Internet, from broadcast services and through their own personal media libraries. Rovi is working with industry leading content providers to create an environment where consumers have access to more movies, TV shows, promotional content, photos and music on the big screen in their home. In addition to video content, Rovi has also announced that it is collaborating with music services such as Rhapsody(R). Previously, Rovi announced that it is collaborating with leading online entertainment services such as Slacker and Roxio CinemaNow.
"Combining Rovi's extensive search and discovery expertise with ZillionTV will deliver a highly enjoyable and rewarding experience for television lovers that is second to none," said Mitch Berman, executive chairman and co-founder, ZillionTV Corporation.
"The Internet connectivity on the TV opens up more choices for the consumer. However, in order for the TV to remain the central entertainment device, consumers will need an easy way to explore those choices. Discovery and access to content needs to be a simple process," said Corey Ferengul, executive vice president of product management and marketing for Rovi Corporation. "A primary goal of Rovi's TotalGuide is to simplify the digital media experience. We believe this will drive increased purchases of digital media as well as devices."
In addition to announcing a number of strategic relationships with content providers, at its invitation-only exhibit during the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show, Rovi is demonstrating an integrated search capability with previously announced video content providers, CBS and Blockbuster. The demo will include internet-based promotional content from CBS and the ability to purchase or rent movies or shows from Blockbuster directly through the guide. This early version of Rovi's TotalGuide also includes integration with Flixster, one of the largest social networks for movie lovers on the web, which will allow social recommendations as part of Rovi's 'six degrees' of content navigation, search and discovery experience.
About Rovi Corporation
Rovi Corporation is focused on revolutionizing the digital entertainment landscape by delivering solutions that enable consumers to intuitively connect to new entertainment from many sources and locations. The company also provides extensive entertainment discovery solutions for television, movies, music and photos to its customers in the consumer electronics, cable and satellite, entertainment and online distribution markets. These solutions, complemented by industry leading entertainment data, create the connections between people and technology, and enable them to discover and manage entertainment in an enjoyable form.
Rovi holds over 4,200 issued or pending patents and patent applications worldwide and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with numerous offices across the United States and around the world including Japan, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom. More information about Rovi can be found at http://www.rovicorp.com/.
The Rovi Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6482
Forward Looking Statements
All statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact, including statements that use the words "will" or "is expected to," or similar words that describe the Company's or its management's future plans, objectives, or goals, are "forward-looking statements" and are made pursuant to the Safe-Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results and/or from any future results or outcomes expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors are further addressed in the Company's most recent report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2009 and such other documents as are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time (available at www.sec.gov). The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release, except as required by law.