Suddenlink To Roll Rovi’s Guide On HD-DTAs

Rovi said it has scored a deal to supply guides that run on high-definition Digital Transport Adapters (DTAs) that will be rolled out by Suddenlink Communications.

Suddenlink wouldn’t outline its current DTA deployment activities or say which vendors will supply those DTAs, but those one-way devices, which convert digital signals to analog for older TV and have been playing a significant role in the cable industry’s various analog spectrum reclamation efforts. All-digital upgrades are an element of “Operation GigaSpeed,” an initiative announced last year by Suddenlink that will enable the operator to raise high-end broadband speeds to 1 Gbps in 90% of its footprint by 2017.

Suddenlink has rolled out a next-gen video platform powered by the TiVo platform. TiVo has also developed a guide for DTAs, including models made by Evolution Digital.

“Our customers have relied on Rovi guides to inform and enhance their entertainment viewing experience,” said Suddenlink SVP and chief programming officer Kathy Payne, in a statement. “Suddenlink looks forward to improving the user experience in subscriber homes with Rovi DTA Guides.”

The Suddenlink deal marks more progress for Rovi’s DTA guide, which supports elements such as parental controls, on now/on next banners, and the ability to set language options. Last year, it announced a master agreement for the guide with the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC), and said Armstrong was the first U.S.-based MSO to deploy a Rovi guide tailored for DTAs. Cablevision Argentina has also rolled it out. Rovi has previously announced htat it has ported DTA guide to models made by Evolution Digital, Arris and Pace.