Online video search company blinkx has taken its first step towards moving on to television sets, signing a deal with interactive TV technology company Miniweb.

blinkx, which has indexed over 35 million hours of programming from 450 content providers, already powers video search for a range of web partners and will now look to transfer these capabilities to the living room.

Miniweb, which raised US$32m in September last year, provides UK satellite TV company BSkyB with interactive TV capabilities and is looking to deploy its technology with other partners keen to bring TV and web interactivity together.

Miniweb's deal with blinkx does not guarantee the video search company's services distribution on BSkyB, but the two parties believe the collaboration will offer added appeal to new customers.