Deal Links TiVo, TV Guide Site

Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. and TiVo Inc. said Monday that they had agreed to link TVGuide.com with TiVo’s video recording service.

The link will enable TVGuide.com users who are TiVo subscribers to request recordings of programs through the website, the companies said. The link will be activated next year.

TiVo has added services such as previews of TV network shows and interactive fantasy football to boost its subscriber base of about 4.4 million. Gemstar, based in Los Angeles, has cut editions of its TV Guide magazine to reduce losses at that unit while revenue grows in its cable-TV and interactive programming groups.

Gemstar and TiVo, the digital video recording pioneer based in Alviso, Calif., also said they have extended a technology licensing agreement.

Gemstar also said it had named Bob Shallow as vice president and general manager of its mobile entertainment group, a new position. Shallow worked most recently at Nokia Corp.

Shares of Gemstar fell 6 cents to $3.17, while TiVo rose 2 cents to $7.79.