Gemstar-TV guide, has launched a broadband version of its new VOD service, TV Guide Spot, on its Web site.

The service is already available to Time Warner digital cable subscribers and will be rolled out to Comcast digital cable subs in the early summer. It also shortly will be offered to TiVo subscribers with standalone TiVo service.

The service features short-form, original entertainment programming, designed to help viewers decide what to watch from the increasing array of programs at their disposal in the multichannel and VOD universe. It currently offers four shows:

"Watch This!," which Gemstar says will showcase "the most compelling programs in the week to come, including special episodes, premieres, television events and hidden gems";

"Catch Up," which will provide three-minute segments that update viewers on the plot developments to date of what Gemstar terms "television's top water-cooler shows";

"Big Movie Guide," which will showcase each month's top on-demand movies, with star interviews, movie clips, behind-the-scenes coverage and more; and

"MVids," which will showcase popular music acts, and let viewers know when those acts will appear on talk and variety shows that week.

Is it a coincidence that both TV-Guide and MeeVee launched web based services that you can access? Who knows, but I would be interested in hearing from you which approach you prefer. My bet is that MeeVee's personalized recommendations should be a more preferred approach.

I wish to thank the folks at ITVT for the above information. To access the video, please go to TV Guide's web site.