Hersheytx
07-02-2007, 05:39 AM
TiVo Seals DVR Deal with Comcast
Raising eyebrows across the entire satellite TV industry, TiVo finalized a deal with the nation's largest cable operator to license its DVR software just three days before the deadline. Soon, subscribers to Comcast's digital cable service will be able to use the TiVo software to control the MSO's on-demand programming.
The maneuver is being seen as TiVo's attempts to capture a greater share of the pay-TV market, moving out of the DVR manufacturing business to licensing its software to not only satellite providers, but now cable operators as well.
According to the company, the new deal with Comcast allows subs to download TiVo's DVR software and interface to mostly Motorola-built set-top boxes used by the cable company's customers. Comcast said it plans to start testing the service in Boston sometime in August.
TiVo also unveiled a limited-time special offer for subscribers to its Lifetime Service plan with TiVo Series1 and Series2 STBs to transfer their plans to a new Series2 dual-tuner for $299. The company said it has been moving away from 'lifetime' service agreements in favor of monthly and yearly options. To qualify for the special offer, customers' Lifetime Service plan must have been activated pre-June 2003.
Raising eyebrows across the entire satellite TV industry, TiVo finalized a deal with the nation's largest cable operator to license its DVR software just three days before the deadline. Soon, subscribers to Comcast's digital cable service will be able to use the TiVo software to control the MSO's on-demand programming.
The maneuver is being seen as TiVo's attempts to capture a greater share of the pay-TV market, moving out of the DVR manufacturing business to licensing its software to not only satellite providers, but now cable operators as well.
According to the company, the new deal with Comcast allows subs to download TiVo's DVR software and interface to mostly Motorola-built set-top boxes used by the cable company's customers. Comcast said it plans to start testing the service in Boston sometime in August.
TiVo also unveiled a limited-time special offer for subscribers to its Lifetime Service plan with TiVo Series1 and Series2 STBs to transfer their plans to a new Series2 dual-tuner for $299. The company said it has been moving away from 'lifetime' service agreements in favor of monthly and yearly options. To qualify for the special offer, customers' Lifetime Service plan must have been activated pre-June 2003.