Comcast has taken full control of GuideWorks, assuming the 49 percent share owned by Rovi, its partner in the joint venture.

Details of the transfer of Rovi’s interest in the JV were not made available. Representatives of Rovi were unable to respond by press time.

Rovi did say it “expanded its relationship with Comcast to include Rovi’s enhanced entertainment products, as well as an expanded license under Rovi’s patents across mobile, online and other Comcast distribution platforms.”

GuideWorks was formed in 2004 by the two companies to further develop an interactive program guide. The resulting guide is used by Comcast with its on-demand and DVR services.

Rovi will also continue to provide Comcast with entertainment metadata across Comcast’s properties, the company said.

Even though Comcast now owns GuideWorks, Rovi said it will continue to distribute the guide that GuideWorks developed under its i-Guide brand.

Rovi will apparently also continue to develop the guide and supply updates and new downloads to its other, unspecified customers. It said the “next major i-Guide release is expected to be delivered to customers in 2011.”

It remained unclear if Rovi will continue to provide the guide to Comcast, however.

Rovi President and CEO Fred Amoroso said: “As we assessed our options, we realized that much has changed in the market since the formation of GuideWorks, and as a result, we believe that now is an appropriate time to exit the venture and realign our portfolio and investments toward solutions we have direct control over and can use across a broad set of platforms and markets.”