VUDU, the company that's given AppleTV a run for its money with its video rental service, which downloads movies directly to a set top box, is now taking on the Apple App Store--sort of.

VUDU's RIA (Rich Internet Application) platform was announced today. It's an open Web application development platform that will allow apps to be created specifically for VUDU customers. Developers should have access to the platform in early 2009. Whether this creates a bonanza of VUDU-based apps remains to be seen.

More news that's being announced and details, after the jump.

Another significant announcement is the integration of Web video and popular sites into the VUDU interface. Now customers can access YouTube, Flickr, Picasa, and games via integrated icons on their TV screens.

There will also be access to online video content from major networks, including CBS, NBC, and ESPN. While the selection will not include popular sitcoms such as "30 Rock" or "The Office", users will be able to watch the "Today" show, "Anderson Cooper 360", "MTV News", and "The Rachel Maddow Show"--which is particularly useful for people who have a VUDU box but not cable TV. The added features will not change the price of VUDU rentals, which are pay-per-view and not subscription-based, and the new content can be accessed today.

Here's a list of the shows you'll be able to find in the VUDU interface:

News:
• NBC Nightly News
• Meet the Press
• Today
• Countdown with Keith Olberman
• The Rachel Maddow Show
• Morning Joe
• Zeitgeist
• Nightline: Story of the Day
• Good Morning America
• Law and Justice
• CBS Evening News
• Katie Couric's Notebook
• Face the Nation
• Eye to Eye
• Fast Draw
• Anderson Cooper 360 Daily
• CNN Daily
• In Case You Missed It
• CNN Now in the News
• CNN Student News
• Journal Editorial Report
• FOX News Flash
• The Blast
• NYT | World News
• Washington Post | Photo Stories
• Washington Post | HD Podcast
• Slate V

Sports:
• Around the Horn
• Mike & Mike Moment
• Fantasy Focus NFL
• Herd Rants
• Outside the Lines
• Mayne Street
• MMA Live
• EXPN
• The Basketball Jones
• MLS
• The Dish
• Racing One
• TGRtv Extreme HD
• Golf Tips (HD)

Science & Technology:
• New York Times | David Pogue
• NYT | Science
• Discovery Channel
• NOVA
• Nature
• National Geographic Wild Chronicles
• NASA Jet Propulsion Lab
• Hubblecast HD
• Hidden Universe HD
• Irrelevant Astronomy HD
• Jean-Michel Costeau Ocean Adventures
• 60 Second Science
• Ted Talks
• Walt Mossberg
• Andy Jordan's Tech Diary
• Talking Tech
• Play Value
• Hak5
• Pixel Perfect
• Systm

Music:
• MTV News
• Fresh Trax
• From the Top
• Great Performances
• Philharmonia Orchestra
• XLR8R
• Epic Fu
• Best of VH1
• Freestyle 101
• The Frustrated Rockstars
• UVTV

Movie Commentary:
• Popcorn
• NYT | Critics' Picks
• The Digg Reel
• The Screening Room
• Flick'd
• Access Hollywood
• Scene Stealers
• Indie Film Nation

Arts & Entertainment:
• Comedy Central: Standup
• National Lampoon
• The Mix
• What's the Buzz
• New Yorker Animated Cartoons
• Celeb Watch
• iFanboy
• Scam School
• Backpack Picnic (HD)

Kids:
• Cartoon Network
• Sesame Street
• iCarly
• NickJr: Dora
• NickJr: Diego
• NickJr: Blues Clues
• Dragonfly TV
• Trading Up (HD)

Food
• New York Times Food Column: The Minimalist
• Food Science (HD)
• Cocktails on the Fly (HD)
• Dinner with the Band (HD)
• Stump the Chef (HD)
• Budget Health Nut (HD)
• Good Housekeeping: Whats for Dinner
• Delicious TV Veg
• Wine Library Reserve

Travel & Lifestyle
• City by City (HD)
• Beautiful Places in HD
• London Landscape TV
• DiveFilm HD
• Mommycast (HD)
• The Parent Code (HD)
• Proper Ollie (HD)
• Zen Living (HD)

Internet Culture:
• Rocketboom
• Diggnation HD
• Totally Rad Show
• Tekzilla
• Best of Revision3
• Web Drifter
• Internet Superstar
• Mobuzz TV

Post by Tim Gideon