Virgin Media plots a Tivo injection

Virgin Media plots a Tivo injection : Those concerned that the living room sofa is a scene of apathy will be relieved to hear that Virgin is promising that this is the start of a revolution. No more will the British public be bound to the whims of broadcasters, but instead they will be able to pick and choose what they want to watch, record the things that they have missed, enjoy on demand programming, and use web-based applications. And all in glorious 3D, HD, or standard resolution.

"This is a landmark moment in the UK's digital revolution and vividly illustrates why Virgin Media is the only company who can provide the ultimate digital lifestyle," said Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media. "For the first time, viewers will have a truly personalised viewing experience so they can get the most out of the wonderful worlds of the internet and TV all in one place."

The introduction of the service is game changing according to Virgin Media and brings with it a range of services designed to make the already fairly easy business of watching television even easier.

The firm said that the system has a recommendations engine that can learn what type of shows you enjoy watching and recommend others to you.

As well as suggesting that users watch even more television, the service will also fill their brains with 'rich' information about the actors, directors, and probably animals involved in the productions.

Another service called Wishlist will let viewers create a search based on their viewing preferences and build up a database of relevant recorded programmes, while links to Android and Iphone applications will let users stay on top of important things like Ebay auctions, Facebook and Twitter from their mobile phones.

Helping customers build up this mass of content will be a one terabyte set top box from Tivo that will be able to store as much as 500 hours of standard definition programming. Installation will cost £199 while monthly contracts will run £26.50 per month. Virgin Media will launch the service in mid-December