The US-based agency’s technology scans websites’ video content visually rather than via keyword search, and will be integrated across the Xbox 360 games console.

News of the purchase comes weeks ahead of Microsoft’s major TV content push for Xbox for which it has struck a string of content tie-ups with around 40 companies, including UK broadcasters and music services muzu.tv and Vevo.

Channel 4’s catch-up TV service 4oD is one of the services to launch on the games console, along with Amazon-owned LoveFilm, Tesco-owned Blinkbox and BBC content.

The BBC has yet to stipulate what content it will make available on the platform but it is likely to be iPlayer content.

ITV is yet to confirm its position on the Xbox, although it is also in talks with Microsoft about a potential launch.

All the partnerships have been created for use with Kinect, a device that lets users interact with the console without a controller via motion-senor technology.

Xbox has not yet disclosed details of an exact launch date but industry sources indicate that it is likely to be around the middle of next month.