Tiscali updates electronic programme guide

Tiscali has revamped its Electronic Programme Guide (EPG).

The broadband, media and telephone company said the EPG will be more efficient, enabling users to quickly access 110 channels, 5,000 hours of on-demand programming, up to 1,000 films and 8,000 music videos.

It will also be compatible with high-definition and widescreen televisions.

Jonathan Sykes, managing director of Tiscali TV, said: "Our goal was to create a new EPG that had the viewer's interests at its heart.

“With so much content now available we wanted to make it easier and quicker for viewers to find the TV they want to watch, but also give them options to get to that content in different ways to suit their needs and habits.”

The EPG, which launches on 10 June, will be installed by a software update sent directly to the set-top box and will not require any action from the subscriber.

It will include a personalised interface for users, incorporating a personal written greeting to each member of a household everytime they log on to their individual profile.

Tiscali has also added an Icon Bar, which it claims has been designed to give users quick access to what they want to watch. Previously, the entry screen was menu-driven and presented the viewer with 40 options.

The new Icon Bar now offers seven options, including All Channels, Catch Up, On Demand, My Tiscali+, TV Guides and TV Showcase.

The Catch Up area has also been improved to enable users to choose the channel, day and programme, all in one screen. In addition, all catch-up programmes will be available from 15 minutes into the live broadcast, allowing viewers who arrive after the programme they want to watch has started to either pick up from the live stream or go straight back to the beginning.