TV Guide Channel on EchoStar’s DISH Network

TV Guide parent Gemstar will be launching an interactive application for the TV Guide Channel on EchoStar’s DISH Network. Developed with the interactive television (itv) company Ensequence, the new platform will allow Gemstar to program the entire screen allowing viewers to access TV Guide listings and recommendations, as well as pay-per-view and DVR scheduling, with their remote controls while watching the channel.

According to Gemstar, the interactive application will be one of two offered by TV Guide that provides viewers with the capabilities via a data dvb stream. DISH subs can launch the service by hitting “select” on their remotes while tuned to TV Guide Channel, or by selecting the application from DISH’s interactive mosaic DISH Home channel 100.

Kaufman Bros. analyst Todd Mitchell said while the product is currently only available on DISH – which, he says, has the most interactive offerings of any pay-TV provider – look for Gemstar to launch the interactive application on other service providers in the future (maybe like bell expressvu) . Gemstar brass has been quoted as saying the company is already in talks with Time Warner Cable and will be approaching Cablevision, Comcast and DIRECTV.

Mitchell also said Gemstar has a full development plan for the application that will eventually add more functionality to the product. The company has hinted that it is considering adding video clips to enhance show and movie descriptions, as well as integrating recommendations from TVGuide.com users.