Rovi buys content discovery firm Fanhattan

Rovi Corporation has bought venture-backed content discovery and navigation firm, Fanhattan, in an all cash deal that was agreed for an undisclosed sum.

Rovi said the buyout will accelerate its vision to offer “next-generation guidance and discovery using advanced cloud, user interface and hardware technologies.”

Fanhattan’s Fan TV-branded offering is designed to make it easy for viewers to discover, watch and share the movies and TV shows across live TV, video-on-demand and streaming services.

Fan TV can be used through a dedicated device with a touch remote, or free on the web and through an iOS app. Its universal WatchList brings together dozens of streaming services, as well as critics’ reviews, friends’ recommendations and a daily magazine.

“Rovi prides itself in realising innovations before the industry demands them, and we are excited to augment our next-generation guidance and discovery solutions with an award-winning unified entertainment experience,” said Omar Javaid, senior vice-president and general manager of Rovi’s Discovery Group.

“We believe the Fanhattan technologies and team will complement Rovi’s advanced metadata, semantic discovery, and predictive analytics capabilities to offer truly differentiated solutions to our customers.”

Rovi said that by integrating Fanhattan it will offer its customers improved flexibility in deploying next-generation discovery and media experiences across multiple screens.

Through the deal, Fanhattan founders, Gilles BianRosa and Olivier Chalouhi, will continue to work as part of the leadership team in Rovi’s Discovery Products Business Group.