Interactive TV News Round-Up (VII): Liberty Global, Virgin Media, TiVo, ONO

Due to the large volume of news generated by the IFA, IBC and CEDIA trade shows--and because the [itvt] editorial team has been working on TVOT NYC Intensive 2011--we are covering stories in this issue in round-up/summary format. We anticipate that it will take us several days to catch up with all the recent news: so if your company has sent us a press release or briefed us on an announcement, and you don't yet see your news covered in this issue, please bear with us.

• Comcast-owned white-label video publishing company, thePlatform, said Thursday that it has been tapped by international cable operator, Liberty Global (operates in 14 countries), to provide the backend video-management system for its online video properties. "Liberty Global will use thePlatform's 'TV Everywhere' solution to enable subscribers to catch up and watch more of their favorite programs and movies on their computers," the company states in its press materials. "thePlatform's cloud-based, mpx video-management system will serve as the central aggregation hub for collecting, protecting, and publishing online video to Liberty Global's various Web portals. The system will also manage the authorization of online video watching based on a user's paid-TV subscription package...thePlatform's mpx system will be phased in to support various online efforts in select regions and then expanded globally. Additional details about the implementation and financial terms of the agreement between thePlatform and Liberty Global were not disclosed." Said Liberty Global's VP of digital technology, Ryc Brownrigg: "We're committed to providing our subscribers even greater access to their favorite shows, and enhancing the value of their subscriptions beyond the TV screen. By integrating with thePlatform's mpx system, we're gaining a powerful logistics hub that makes it easier for our subscribers to watch premium shows online, while preserving the content rights obligations we have with our content providers."
• TiVo and UK cable operator, Virgin Media, on Thursday announced that they plan to launch an iPad-based companion app that will allow customers to control Virgin Media's TiVo-powered hybrid-TV service. "The feature will be made available as part of the first major software update for the system and is designed to build on the user experience of the award-winning service," the companies state in their press materials. "Virgin Media plans to roll out the software update, which will feature the companion app as well as other new features to be announced, in the coming months. The TiVo companion app will allow Virgin Media customers to use their Apple iPads to interact directly with their TiVo service and extend their viewing experience beyond the remote control. After installing the free TiVo companion app, users can interact with the elegant, intuitive TiVo user interface directly on their iPads to search across Virgin Media's content, including the TV Guide and thousands of hours of content available through its video-on-demand library, without interrupting what they are already watching on TV. With just a couple of swipes on the iPad, users can immediately and seamlessly begin viewing the content they have discovered via their TiVo app right on their TV." Said Virgin Media's executive director of digital entertainment, Cindy Rose: "The way viewers watch television is changing faster than ever. Partnering with TiVo has helped us develop the most advanced and flexible TV system in the UK, ensuring our customers are able to enjoy the best connected-television offering available in the market today. In less than a year since launch we are already building new features to offer our customers more ways to enjoy their service with an unprecedented user experience, and maintaining our position at forefront of technological innovation in TV. The companion app and other forthcoming enhancements we are working on form part of our long-term strategy to deliver the most dynamic and user-friendly multiscreen entertainment experience in the UK"
• In other TiVo news: The company has announced deployment details of the DVR-based hybrid-TV offering which it is developing for Spanish pay-TV operator, ONO, and which it bills as "seamlessly blend[ing] Internet and traditional television content delivered through ONO's modern fiber optic network while [allowing customers to interact] with TiVo's award-winning user interface. In addition to controlling live TV," TiVo's press materials continue, "with the TiVo DVR from ONO customers will be able to set Season Pass Recordings to automatically record the user's favorite programs, schedule recordings when not at home, or even record programs based upon a user's interests through WishList searches. In addition to searching and recording programs, the TiVo DVR from ONO also offers a library of broadband-delivered on-demand video and interactive applications...ONO is the exclusive distributor of TiVo's advanced television services in Spain and TiVo will become the exclusive software provider for all next-generation set-top boxes deployed by ONO. TiVo DVR's from ONO will be available to select customers beginning this autumn."