Pasadena, Calif. – Gemstar-TV Guide International and Royal Philips Electronics reached a worldwide multi-year licensing agreement enabling Philips to incorporate Gemstar-TV Guide’s interactive program guide (‘IPG’) technology and service for the digital consumer electronics products.
Under the deal Philips will include Gemstar’s new TV Guide On Screen IPG for digital devices in both the recordable DVD and television product lines in North America and Europe.
Philips will launch its first products with the TV Guide Onscreen system in mid 2003 in both North America and Europe, the company said.
The European release marks the first time the new IPG is introduced in those markets.
The new TV Guide On Screen IPG carries the TV Guide brand and subscription free. It is designed to simplify navigation of channels, while providing comprehensive listings and news, sports and weather information.
Also added are full colored graphics and a more intuitive user interface with program sorting capabilities that allow viewers to quickly find shows.
TV Guide On Screen is compatible with any digital platform, from digital cable and HDTV to plasma displays and DVD recorders and PVRs.
