TiVo Lifetime Subscription Extended To 4/15!
It looks like TiVo has extended their lifetime subscription option beyond the previously reported on date of 03/16. Here’s a post on TiVoCommunity which announced the extension:
We know that there have been retail advertisements which refer to product lifetime, and there have been requests here for a longer opportunity to purchase lifetime before it’s discontinued. As a result, we have decided to offer product lifetime as a subscription option through 4/15/06, even for those that have purchased since 3/15 (you do have to call to activate lifetime service though, and lifetime is not applicable for systems purchased via a bundle plan).
Thanks TiVo for the extension!
Hat Tip: Mike Sayre (fatwallet.com)
March 22nd, 2006 at 5:04 pm |
This is great news, I said when the first announcement was made that the whole thing would have come off better if they had given more warning before pulling the plug on the lifetime offering.
I’m still curious to know how many lifetime subs TiVo sold in te week between the announcement and 3/16, I know that my family bought a total of three that week.
March 22nd, 2006 at 5:10 pm |
Really, there’s no rush here. Want a lifetime subscription after 4/15? eBay can hook you up with no problem.
Now, those auctions may gain in value over time, but they will always be out there.
March 23rd, 2006 at 7:58 pm |
Remember, its the lifetime of the unit, not the owner. So, you won’t be getting a cheaper deal by getting a lifetime subscription unless you’re still using the same tivo 2-3 years from now.
Two or three years from now, you will probably be able to get 100 gig dvr’s for the same price (and maybe even from a company that isn’t going to screw over its subscribers to HBO DRM nazis.)
March 24th, 2006 at 12:03 am |
The lifetime subscription pays for itself in just under 2 years compared with $12.95/mo. Figure the odds you won’t still be using your TiVo at that point.
No doubt future DVRs will have higher capacity as the price of storage drops, but I wouldn’t count on there being less DRM in there.
March 24th, 2006 at 12:50 am |
I bought a lifetime subscription in 1999. I still use the same box.
You will still use the old TiVo because why not? Increasing the hard drive makes finding shows slower, and abou t20 shows is really the limit to what you can use, and that takes virtually no hard drive.
I make an exception for HD, but you will likely get the HD DVR from the cable/satellite provider as part of your package, so it is not that relevant. If you move to that service, you move the old TiVo to another room. I am in my eighth year, and payback is not a b***h.
March 24th, 2006 at 12:56 am |
[...] Story Here [...]
March 26th, 2006 at 3:02 pm |
When I called to activate my TiVo with a Lifetime Subscription, I was told that it was NOT extended. Rather, TiVo will make individual exceptions after a review, which will take 7-10 days. The Lifetime option is also nowhere to be found on their site. What gives?
March 26th, 2006 at 3:08 pm |
I would jump on TiVoCommunity or specifically tell the person that you speak with about TiVoPony’s post on the forum. Has anybody else had this problem?
March 28th, 2006 at 9:34 pm |
I tried to get Lifetime on 3/17 and they would not give in even though the store left signs up that were wrong. I returned the tivo and got a COX cable DVR for 9.99 a month. Why buy tivo and spend more for monthly service. Tivo is making a bad call.
Cox DVR has 2 tuners. Record 2 shows at once. Cya TIVO
May 19th, 2006 at 1:06 am |
I agree, I was going to give a tivo and lifetime subscription as a gift, Where does Tivo come off asking $16.00 to $20.00 a month. I think I can just write a check for $9.99 a month. I have always told people I love my Tivo, now I say call the cable company it is the same and much cheaper. why did this happen.
June 19th, 2006 at 1:52 am |
Thats the end of it, then. I’d been finally willing to buy a Tivo this week - as a more convenient way to record the World Cup matches. Much to my surprise, the lifetime subscription service was discontinued 3 months ago. Oh well. Thats the only way I would have considered the Tivo. Paying a monthly subscription is the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard - but, given they have convinced such a large segment of people to pay for a programming guide at really high prices, I wonder what else one can get people to pay for.
As it stands, I’ll now never buy a DVR. I want an appliance that will replace my VCR to record unencrypted analog cable. Thats it - no subscription, I just want the box. The HTPC I have built will serve that purpose fine.
I guess in my 30’s I’m an old fart now, since I’ve managed to completely avoid such a viral gadget. My VHS decks will still do the duty for plenty of time to record the occasional show if I need to record stuff quick.
August 2nd, 2006 at 11:52 pm |
I think Tivo doesn’t want to offer a lifetime sub anymore because they already figured out that they might not be in the PVR business anymore two years from now. Why commit a lifetime if you know you’ll die anytime soon.
November 6th, 2007 at 6:13 pm |
Tivo’s offer of the HD 80-hour box expires tomorrow, Nov. 7th(2007), and although I wanted to upgrade to an HD box I’m going to pass on the offer. I wanted to upgrade to the 300-hour box but they said no-can-do. Then, after the first year my present box becomes inoperable - a black doorstop. They expect me to send them $299 for a box, and $199 for my lifetime renewal, then throw a perfectly good box into the dumpster?
I quess they don’t need the revenue.