TiVo Inc., provider of television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), has introduced universal Swivel Search offering broadband-connected TiVo subscribers the power to quickly find programming. With universal Swivel Search on the TiVo service, TiVo subscribers can also search using the way they instinctively think about television - i.e., by starting with a program they currently enjoy and using elements of that program to find more of what they like.

Universal Swivel Search helps viewers seamlessly link from descriptions of one program to all others that have common elements, including program name, actors, or suggestions based on other viewers’ feedback. Furthermore, users can find programs connected to a specific subject with ‘tags,’ which are topic-related terms that might not be included in the program’s title or episode description.

“Universal Swivel Search is an easy way to find programming from virtually anywhere, any time the user wants. We know that as broadband video continues its rapid growth, and broadcast and cable programming continue to proliferate, consumers are finding it more and more difficult to find the content they want, when they want it,” said Tom Rogers, CEO of TiVo, in a press release. “Now there is a fun and easy new way for TiVo subscribers to explore the few degrees of separation connecting content that they enjoy in a way that matches how the TV viewer thinks about programming.”

With universal Swivel Search, a TiVo subscriber’s search can jump from a show to an actor, to a second actor and then to another show, following a unique path through the content that interests them. The new ‘swivel’ ability is not limited to actors, but available on topic tags, or even lists of similar programs.

“A consumer has on average 200 channels of programming through digital cable, which adds up to over 30,000 hours of programming every week,” said Jim Denney, vice president of product marketing at TiVo. “Then combine that with the thousands of hours of content that is currently available through download via Amazon Unbox on TiVo or TiVo’s TiVoCast service. Now with Swivel Search, consumers will be able to easily find and get content that is most interesting to them no matter where it comes from.”

---------

Niladri Sekhar Nath is a contributing writer for TMCnet covering telecommunications, service providers and networking. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Don't forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.