Report: AOL Readying 'Mystro TV'

[Gregg Lengling]

The New York Times reported that AOL Time Warner executives are talking with other cable operators and media companies about speeding up and co-opting a TiVo-like system for use via cable TV lines.

AOL Time Warner's "Mystro TV" was described by the Times as a technology that uses the cable TV infrastructure itself to provide capabilities similar to what's found on personal video recorders, such as fast-forward and rewind. But the TV technology also would allow networks to set parameters, dictate which shows users can be rescheduled and allowing for the insert of commercials.

AOL Time Warner executives want to roll out the service within two years, the Times said. Execs said the company plans to sell the Mystro TV service to other cable operators just like it sells HBO, potentially giving Mystro a central role as a gateway between television networks and viewers around the country, the Times said.