DVR innovator TiVo has announced a new Universal Swivel Search feature for its broadband users, which allows them to search broadband, cable, and broadcast programming.
The Universal Swivel Search works by starting with a program a user watches and uses elements of that program to find similar entertainment. Viewers can link from descriptions of one program to others that have related content, actors or suggestions based on other viewer’s feedback.
“Tom Rogers, CEO of TiVo, said, “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.”
“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.”
Users can also search for programs related to a particular subject using tags, which may not be in an episode title or description, allowing users to find programming based on their interest.
“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, TiVo’s VP of product marketing.
“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.”
