iWorld
Turner selects TiVo to provide enhanced electronic programme services
MUMBAI: TiVo Corporation, a leader in entertainment technology and audience insights, has announced that global media company, Turner, has selected TiVo as its EMEA metadata distribution partner.
Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, Turner will utilise services from TiVo’s new Studio, Broadcast and Network Metadata Packages to manage the company’s electronic programme guide (EPG) metadata distribution and service, which covers 44 EMEA channels. Turner’s 200+ customers of its channel schedules and programming information will receive the data services, facilitating the delivery of a richer and more engaging content discovery experience for viewers.
“Today’s consumers demand a fully connected entertainment experience to be able to discover and access content they want quickly and easily,” said Turner regional VP – technology and operations EMEA and APAC James Crossland.
“When we were selecting a partner to enable our metadata distribution, TiVo’s global reach and long-standing experience working with the industry ecosystem made them the natural choice to power our services across Europe. We want to give our viewers a superior EPG experience when browsing our channels – we see it as an integral part of our programme offering to them.”
“TiVo is providing metadata distribution services that distribute multiple formats where needed,” said TiVo senior VP & GM – metadata Roz Ho. “Joining forces with Turner is a testament to TiVo’s technological capabilities in delivering solutions to help make TV and video viewing more enjoyable for their customers.”
The agreement with TiVo comes at a time of rapid evolution for Turner into a more consumer-centric, data-driven media company, with an accelerated focus on partnering with tech partners and vendors who can help deliver first-class consumer experiences at every step of their engagement with Turner’s diverse news, kids and general entertainment programming portfolio.
TiVo will showcase Studio, Broadcaster and Network Metadata Packages along with the company’s entertainment technology and audience insights solutions at the TiVo booth #SU3725 during NAB, 24-27 April, in Las Vegas.
iWorld
X launches XChat messaging app on iOS with calls and encryption
Standalone app marks shift from “everything app” vision, adds E2E messaging.
MUMBAI: From one big app to many small chats, X seems to be splitting its ambitions. X has rolled out its standalone messaging app, XChat, to iOS users, opening up a new front in its evolving product strategy. The app allows users to connect with existing X contacts through private and group messages, file sharing, as well as audio and video calls. The launch follows a limited beta phase, where the platform tested the product with a smaller user base to refine the experience. Now available publicly, XChat marks a notable pivot from earlier ambitions championed by Elon Musk to turn X into a single “everything app” combining messaging, payments, commerce and more.
Instead, the company under xAI ownership and backed by SpaceX appears to be building a suite of standalone applications, each targeting specific use cases while expanding its broader ecosystem.
At launch, XChat includes end-to-end encrypted messaging, PIN-based access, disappearing messages, and features such as message editing, deletion for all participants, and screenshot blocking. The company has also said the app is free from advertisements and tracking mechanisms, positioning it as a privacy-first alternative in a crowded messaging space.
However, security claims around the platform are likely to face scrutiny. Earlier iterations of XChat drew criticism from experts who argued it fell short of established encrypted platforms like Signal. With the wider rollout, the app is expected to undergo fresh evaluation to assess whether those concerns have been addressed.
Beyond messaging, XChat will also house X’s Communities feature, which is being discontinued on the main platform due to low usage and spam concerns. Migrating these users could provide an early boost to adoption, effectively turning XChat into both a communication and community hub.
The move underscores a broader recalibration at X less about cramming everything into one app, and more about spreading bets across multiple touchpoints, one message at a time.
