Oceanic Time Warner Cable said it is launching a new service from a Silicon Valley-based company that promises Web interactivity on television screens.

The state's largest cable operator said it is teaming with ActiveVideo Networks to offer a service through which users can select and play games such as Tetris and sudoku on the Tag Network (Channel 433), search for and buy merchandise from the Home Shopping Network more quickly, and simultaneously monitor and choose among multiple news, sports or children's channels.

Oceanic subscribers will need a digital set-top box to use the service.

ActiveVideo's site said the service gives operators the ability to mix Web elements instantly with live and on-demand television. With ActiveVideo's technology, a Web-based channel can be designed so that a screen includes a live broadcast of a basketball game along with menu of other basketball video that can be played by clicking on a link.

"Our launch of ActiveVideo expands our ability to deliver to our customers diversity, personalization, and targeting through a wide range of video choices," said Oceanic president Nate Smith in a news announcement.

Oceanic used the technology during this summer's Olympics to allow subscribers to watch multiple channels that formed a mosaic on a single screen.

Oceanic said it hopes to eventually allow customers to set up their own channels, with six of their favorite channels to choose from on a screen.