Anybody Remember VIR

[Beachboy]

I bought a new Sears (Sanyo) 19" TV in 1982, top of the line. One of its features was an automatic color control called VIR (Video Interval Reference ??) which enabled the broadcasters some adjustment over the set's color. I recall this TV had an on/off switch for the VIR circuit. I also recall some GE TV's of the era also had this function. I assume the circuitry did what it was advertised to do, as this particular set always had a great picture (it also had a comb filter, somewhat rare on a 19" in '82).

Whatever happened to VIR? Was it quietly incorporated into all new TV's and no reference made to it, or was it discontinued? I was just thinking about my previous TV's the other day and remembered the VIR feature.