Earlier today, TiVo and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) announced that a USB hardware dongle is in development that will allow both the TiVo HD and Series 3 to receive Switched Digital Video (SDV) content.

ALVISO, CALIFORNIA and WASHINGTON, D.C. — The cable industry and TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), today announced that cable operators will next year introduce a new external adapter that will enable TiVo® digital video recorders that use CableCARDs™ to access switched digital cable channels without a set top box, according to National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) President & CEO Kyle McSlarrow and TiVo President & CEO Tom Rogers.
…………….

The new external adapter will attach to TiVo Series 3 HD DVRs and TiVo HD DVRs to ensure the DVRs can directly access all digital channels including switched digital cable channels. The adapter will work on any Unidirectional Digital Cable Ready Product (UDCP) that has a USB connector and necessary firmware. The cable industry is working with TiVo to ensure that installation of CableCARDs and the adapter will be easy and seamless for the consumer.
………………

Cable operators will make the new adapters available for TiVo customers in the second quarter of 2008. Cable operators and TiVo will work cooperatively to alert TiVo customers about availability of the new adapter.

This press release is like music to my ears. The SDV issue has had me concerned for some time now. Maybe the most recent lifetime subscription offer isn’t such a bad deal after all :).
Thanks to everybody who sent this news tip in!

Kind of boring but it’s news none the less….

ALVISO, Calif. and LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO - News), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), and Windstream Corporation (NYSE: WIN - News), today announced an agreement to offer bundled internet and TiVo DVR services.

Windstream customers will enjoy a differentiated video service that combines innovative broadband video content and traditional linear television through TiVo’s Emmy® award-winning user interface. The new bundled offering provides subscribers with easy access to a broad array of downloadable content via TiVoCast and TiVo’s popular Amazon Unbox(TM) service in addition to streaming access to over 4 million songs via Rhapsody. Subscribers will also receive well known TiVo features including Season Pass(TM) recordings, WishList® searches, remote scheduling capabilities, TiVoToGo(TM) transfers, and access to interactive services like weather and traffic from Yahoo! and Fandango® movie ticketing.

“Teaming up with Windstream to combine high-speed Internet and DVR into one convenient bundle unlocks a truly unique entertainment and communications experience for consumers,” said Naveen Chopra, Vice President of Corporate Development at TiVo. “We are pleased to join forces with Windstream, a provider of voice, broadband, and video services who wields a proven ability to market bundled services in conjunction with its core wireline service to over three million subscribers.”

“Combining TiVo’s best-in-class DVR experience and Windstream’s high-speed Internet service brings to our customers a comprehensive TV entertainment offering,” said Ric Crane, Chief Marketing Officer at Windstream. “Windstream now will be able to offer customers a simple-to-use integrated television experience with the ability to download on-demand movies, music and photos.”

Windstream plans to begin marketing TiVo in the first half of 2008. Specific pricing and financial terms of this agreement have not yet been disclosed.

We all knew this was coming but, today TiVo sent out the following press release which indicates that we should see an upgrade for the S3 and TiVo HD sometime in the near future. As expected, the upgrade will bring TiVoToGo and multi-room viewing (MRV) support to the Series 3 & TiVo HD. Also as expected, TiVo has partnered with Western Digital to release an eSATA drive ($200) which will allow you to easily add additional storage to a S3 & TiVo HD.

TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), the creator of and leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), today announced the new availability of several exciting feature upgrades and product support for TiVo Series 3 and TiVo HD customers. The news includes the availability of external storage (E-SATA) from Western Digital, the introduction of Multi-Room Viewing and TiVoToGo availability and the new feature of progressive downloads - all for Series 3 and TIVo HD subscribers. Please see below for more information on the news.
E-SATA
· The My DVR Expander external hard drive is capable of storing up to 600 hours of standard-definition (SD) or up to 65 hours of high-definition (HD) television programming based on 500 GB of hard drive storage.
· This is current the only TiVo Verified external storage device.
· The My DVR Expander is compatible with both TiVo HD and TiVo Series3 DVRs.
· WD’s My DVR Expander external hard drive is available now in the United States from Best Buy retail stores and by ordering online from TiVo.com/store.
· MSRP for the My DVR Expander drive with 500 GB is $199.99 USD.

Multi Room Viewing (MRV)
· MRV allows you to transfer programming between TiVo DVRs.
· It now includes support for Series3 and TiVo HD DVRs, meaning you can share shows between Series2, Series3, and TiVo HD boxes.
· Only SD recordings may be sent from a Series3/TiVo HD to a Series2.

TiVoToGo
· TiVo HD and Series 3 users can now enjoy TiVoToGo functionality.
· TiVoToGo™ transfers are available to all networked TiVo DVRs. This service enhancement allows users to transfer programs from a TiVo box to a desktop or laptop PC.
· Using TiVo Desktop software for Windows or Roxio Toast 8 or Popcorn 3 for Mac OS, TiVo subscribers can now transfer recordings from their Series 3 and TiVo HD boxes for playback, DVD burning, or converting to portable device formats on personal computers.

Progressive Downloads
· The progressive download feature gives TiVo subscribers the ability to watch TiVoCast content while it is still downloading, including Amazon UnBox on TiVo.
· When a download begins, the TiVo box checks the speed of the download, and calculates whether you can begin playback. If the download speed is going faster than playback speed, it will let users start playback immediately.
· If the download is slower, it will wait until users have enough of the program “buffered” on disk to be able to play it from start to finish without hitting the end of the buffer, and then let you start playback.
· This service is available for TiVo HD and Series3 subscribers.

Spotted on Gizmodo & Engadget.

More on this later when I actually have time to blog….

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — TiVo Inc. is introducing music to its mix of entertainment services, offering owners of the company’s digital video recorders access through their TVs to the Rhapsody music service.

The new feature announced Tuesday means TiVo subscribers with broadband-connected set-top boxes will be able to listen to music streamed over the Internet from Rhapsody’s service. The service, now part of Rhapsody America, a new joint venture between RealNetworks Inc. and Viacom Inc.’s MTV Networks, has a catalog of more than 4 million songs.

Tivo and Rhapsody view their partnership as a way to cross-market to boost their subscriber bases.

The deal also marks the latest in a string of features TiVo has added to promote itself as a premium service. TiVo has teamed with Amazon.com for movie downloads and with Yahoo Inc. for photo-sharing. It also offers direct access to some online content and lets users share home movies with other TiVo users.

Whether users access it through TiVo, a PC or portable gadgets, the Rhapsody service will cost $12.99 per month on top of the $12.95 or more TiVo regularly charges.

Rhapsody is considered one of the leading providers — along with Napster Inc. — of subscription music, where users can listen to as much as they want as long as they continue to pay the monthly fee. It’s not as popular as a la carte download services such as Apple Inc.’s iTunes Store. Rhapsody also offers songs for 99 cents per download, but not through TiVo.

TiVo says it will roll out the Rhapsody feature in stages with priority for current customers who sign up. They can try Rhapsody for 30 days free.

Earlier today, TiVo reported that only two fall premiere shows are among the top 50 Season Passes. I honestly haven’t had anytime to catch any of the new fall shows so I really don’t have an opinion. Most of my TV time is spent watching Caillou and Curious George :). That being said, I’d like to know which new fall programs you’ve added as a Season Pass.

ALVISO, Calif., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — As the new fall television programming commences, TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO - News), the creator of and a leader in advertising solutions and television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), reports that Private Practice and Bionic Woman were the only two premiere shows that penetrated TiVo’s Top 50 Season Passes, ranking at #18 and #43 respectively.

TiVo’s Season Pass(TM) feature allows subscribers to regularly record their favorite shows each time the program airs regardless of the time, while automatically skipping repeats and without the use of tapes or timers.

“Premiere week’s TiVo Season Pass results serve as an indication of early marketing success and buzz generation, as well as the public’s overall appetite for these shows,” said Todd Juenger, Vice President & General Manager, TiVo Audience Research & Measurement. “Although subscriber behavior habitually begins slowly — some are slow to add a new show to Season Pass and may sample it for a few weeks before making that commitment — Private Practice and Bionic Woman, two highly anticipated shows, opened with high expectations from a confident audience.”

Continue reading the press release for more information…

————————————————————————-———————————————-
As a side note, I would like to thank Earl for putting me down as his TiVo rewards referrer. If you’d like to put me down as your referrer, all you need to do is enter my email address (raianoat AT gmail DOT com) when you activate your TiVo. Thanks Earl. It really is appreciated!

Earlier today TiVo announced a new contest whereby the winner will receive a TiVo HD complete with a lifetime subscription. Details on the contest can be found on the contest’s website (hookupwithtivo.com) or in today’s press release.

Essentially all you need to do to participate is write TiVo a “personal ad” in which you explain why you HDTV is a perfect match for the TiVo HD. I know it sounds cheesy but if you can win a TiVo HD you might as well try…..

LAS VEGAS, Oct 01, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO), the creator and a leader in advertising solutions and television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), today announced the formation of the Interactive Direct Response Advertising Group designed to help the DR community better understand the advertising challenges they face in the age of the DVR while educating them about the benefits of TiVo’s innovative Interactive Advertising Platfrom. Tivo’s ad solutions target the needs that direct response advertisers seek; the ability to relate to customers directly from the remote control.Spearheading the new Group is industry veteran Robert Barnett who joins TiVo as a Senior Director, managing TiVo’s relationship with Worldlink Ventures, Inc., a Direct Response advertising sales representative for TiVo’s interactive advertising platform. Mr. Barnett reports directly to Karen Bressner, Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales at TiVo. The announcements came during the 17th Annual Electronic Retailing Conference currently underway in Las Vegas, NV through October 2.

……………….

Read the complete press release for additional information…..

TiVo Inc. really seems to be making some strides on the international front. Yesterday we received some news about TiVo in Australia and today TiVo sent out the following press release about TiVo in Mexico City. Now if only we could get TiVo on Comcast, Cox & Time Warner :).

ALVISO, Calif., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO - News), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), and CABLEVISION, S.A. de C.V. (CABLEVISION), Mexico’s largest digital cable operator, announced that beginning today TiVo® DVRs and the TiVo® Service are available for the first time to CABLEVISION’s digital cable subscribers throughout Mexico City.

CABLEVISION subscribers can now access the first Spanish language version of the Emmy® award-winning TiVo user interface, which includes internationally recognized TiVo features like SeasonPass(TM) recordings, WishList® searches and TrickPlay functionality, which enables users to pause, rewind, instant replay and slo-motion live TV.

Chief Executive Officer of CABLEVISION Jean-Paul Broc said, “The combination of TiVo’s state-of-art technology and breadth of services with CABLEVISION’s superior digital cable programming creates an unmatched television viewing experience for our subscribers in Mexico City. We are extremely enthusiastic that the opportunity to bring the TiVo service to Mexico City has come to fruition and are confident that the TiVo brand will not only increase customer loyalty but serve as a driver of new cable subscribers.”

“TiVo continues to make sustained progress across international markets and CABLEVISION in Mexico is another example,” said Tom Rogers, President and CEO of TiVo. “Growing our business with the right partners is critical and our strategic distribution relationship with CABLEVISION, and its parent Televisa, is proof of that. TiVo will enable CABLEVISION to further differentiate its pay television service and maximize its programming packages. The combination of TiVo and CABLEVISION will offer the best entertainment experience for subscribers in Mexico.”

CABLEVISION is introducing the TiVo service to Mexico City consumers through a broad-based media campaign including cross-channel and broadcast television, print, online, radio and outdoor advertising. In addition, CABLEVISION plans to leverage its extensive programming assets and celebrity spokespeople to promote TiVo capabilities on air.

TiVo service is being offered to CABLEVISION subscribers as a package with a monthly charge covering both service and box rental.

Here’s a summary of TiVo’s latest financial numbers. More detailed information can be found here (TiVo press release).

Technology Update

• During the quarter ending July 31st, TiVo released the TiVo HD.
• Comcast services is progressing. Comcast has agreed to fund development work to bring TiVo to additional set top boxes including Scientific Atlantic boxes.
• Comcast has said that they, “we will commence the TiVo rollout process shortly, which will continue rolling out throughout the fall in Comcast’s New England Division including metro Boston, Southeast Massachusetts and New Hampshire”.
• During the quarter DIRECTV announced a deal with TiVo to develop a software upgrade to enhance the user experience for DIRECTV customers who have DIRECTV DVRs with TiVo service.

Financial Numbers

• Second quarter net loss of $17.7 million, which included a combined inventory write-down and inventory purchase commitment charge of $11.2 million, as compared to TiVo’s net loss guidance of $5 to $8 million that didn’t contemplate the inventory related write-down.
• Net loss per share was $0.18.
• Service and technology revenues increased 7% to $56.5 million ($52.8 million for the same period last year).
• Service revenues were $53.4 million (compared to the year ago quarter when service revenues were $49.4 million).
• Technology revenues were $3.1 million, which was lower than expected due to timing of development work related primarily to DIRECTV and international opportunities

Subscriptions

• TiVo-Owned subscription gross additions for the second quarter were 41,000, compared to 74,000 gross additions for the year-ago period
• Overall, TiVo-Owned subscriptions totaled 1.71 million, up 136,000 on an annual basis compared to the year ago-period
• Net decline in DIRECTV TiVo subscriptions during the period as DIRECTV is no longer deploying new TiVo boxes
• Cumulative total subscriptions as of July 31, 2007 were 4.2 million
• Monthly churn rate was 1.2% compared to 1.1% in the prior quarter

Obviously the financial numbers aren’t that positive. That being said, I still think TiVo’s future is looking bright. The Comcast and Cox partnerships should produce a lot of new TiVo subscribers. Once this occurs, TiVo will be able to straighten out its financial situation.

Ad Agency to Use TiVo’s Service to Strengthen Research, Creative Development

ALVISO, Calif., Aug 28, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ –

TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO), the creator and a leader in advertising solutions and television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), today announced that advertising agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky has purchased a subscription to the TiVo Stop||Watch ratings service. CP+B is one of the industry’s most influential agencies with an impressive roster of global clients and popular ad campaigns including Burger King and Volkswagen.

Using the TiVo Stop||Watch ratings service, a comprehensive second-by-second program and commercial ratings research product, CP+B now has the means to access a broad database on audience viewing behavior, and a unique ability to track specific commercial viewership, in both Live and Timeshifted viewing context.

Read More…