Foxtel, a provider of subscription TV services in Australia, picked OpenTV to help launch its next-generation platform of services, which includes a new guide and time-shifted TV.

Foxtel, which is a previous customer of OpenTV, is using OpenTV’s interactive TV technology and middleware for its new platform, which is called “Foxtel Next Generation.”

“Foxtel Next Generation is all about providing our customers greater control and choice so they can watch what they want, when they want, over a device of their choice . Foxtel Next Generation will offer the choice of over 200 channels, 15 HD channels, a rich array of interactive services, as well as superb new navigation features, which are intuitive and simple to use for the customers,” said Kim Williams, Foxtel’s CEO. “We’re delighted once again to have OpenTV as a partner on this launch; the team has been central in ensuring that we deliver compelling new features to our iQ service, and we’re very excited to share these initiatives with our customers.”

Next Generation allows viewers to watch what they want, when they want, via live, on-demand or time-shifted TV. The new “iSuggest” interactive guide developed by OpenTV recommends programs to viewers via a gallery of posters and detailed synopsis information.

The service also has a “Record Me” feature that allows subscribers to send movies or shows directly to an iQ planner with the push of a single button during on-air promotions.

In addition to local news and weather feeds, Foxtel is lunching 30 new channels, including 10 in HD and eight time-shifted channels.