Gemstar Completes Deal.Pasadena-based Gemstar International Group completed its $14.3 billion purchase of TV Guide Inc., giving it a near-monopoly over critical technology for interactive TV program guides. Those interactive guides, potentially worth billions of dollars, will enable couch potatoes couch potato An Americanism for a sedentary person, usually ♂, whose predominant non-work activity consists in lying on a couch, watching TV. See Television intoxication 'syndrome.'. Cf Vigorous exercise. with remote controls to order movies or other products and services instantaneously in·stan·ta·ne·ous adj. 1. Occurring or completed without perceptible delay: Relief was instantaneous. 2. . The decision, made after a lengthy government review, surprised some cable TV executives and many Wall Street investors, who promptly prompt adj. prompt·er, prompt·est 1. Being on time; punctual. 2. Carried out or performed without delay: a prompt reply. tr.v. bid up shares of both companies. As a result of the deal, by year's end 10 million U.S. households could be using Gemstar's interactive on-screen on·screen or on-screen adj. & adv. 1. As shown on a movie, television, or display screen. 2. Within public view; in public. program guide to sift through scores of TV shows and buy all manner of products with a few simple clicks of the remote control. The acquisition is expected to dramatically accelerate the introduction of Internet-style features on TV screens. |
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