TV Works, a joint venture of Comcast and Cox Communications, has acquired the business and assets of MetaTV, a software services company. Prior to the acquisition, Comcast and Cox were investors in MetaTV. Financial terms were not disclosed.
MetaTV, which is based in Mill Valley, California, has developed applications currently in use by several cable operators, including information, games, caller ID and customer service features. The MetaTV information application is integrated with the Microsoft TV Foundation platform that Comcast has deployed in Washington State. Additionally, Cox's recent deployment of iTV service in its Gulf Coast Florida system includes MetaTV applications.
MetaTV's interactive applications can also be integrated into the GuideWorks interactive program guide platform and will be OCAP compatible. GuideWorks, a joint venture between Comcast and Gemstar-TV Guide International, is a developer of interactive television guidance and navigation solutions for multichannel video providers.
http://www.comcast.com/http://www.metatv.com
- The OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP) specification, which was developed under the OpenCable project led by CableLabs, allows retail consumer electronics devices to run any compliant application or service.
