Television Metadata – TV Show Descriptive Information is More than EPGs

Having descriptive information for TV programs (metadata) is essential for the organizing, categorizing, and enabling of recommendation engines. During the IBC 2010 trade show, Richard Bullwinkle from Rovi Corporation explained to me that having a complete set of metadata related to TV programs allows for the providing of electronic program guides but also allows for advanced navigation services. In addition the basic information associated with TV programs (title, description), there is a significant amount of other information such as actors and more detailed content information that may be used by viewers. Rovi has metadata information on almost all TV shows produced since the mid-1950s. This information may be searched by viewers or it may be used by recommendation engines to promote TV shows and other content that is related to the viewer interests.