--TiVo Will Power Multi-Room DVR Service, Enable Internet-Based OTT Services on TV
--Partnership Announcement Reveals that TiVo Is Developing Non-DVR Client Set-Top Boxes
TiVo last week announced that it has entered into a strategic agreement with Suddenlink, the eighth-largest cable company in the US, that calls for the latter to deploy co-branded TiVo Premiere DVR's (note: TiVo bills the Premiere as combining linear TV, DVR, VOD and Internet-delivered video into a unified experience delivered via an Adobe Flash-based user interface), as well as TiVo-developed non-DVR client set-top boxes. This represents the first time that TiVo has provided an operator with non-DVR hardware. According to the companies, Suddenlink will begin deploying TiVo hardware to its customers later this year: the Premiere DVR's and the new client boxes will enable a TiVo-developed multi-room DVR solution, the companies say, adding that they also plan to collaborate on the development of a "next-generation 'whole home'" solution for deployment by Suddenlink next year (note: according to TiVo's SVP of corporate development and strategy, Naveen Chopra, who spoke to Light Reading Cable's Jeff Baumgartner, the company is hoping to offer its new multi-room DVR solution to other operators--including, presumably, its existing customer RCN--and also is likely to eventually offer it in retail).
Suddenlink says that it expects to launch TiVo DVR's in certain of its markets in the fourth quarter of 2010 and to significantly expand that deployment next year. "We reviewed a number of alternatives to find the best way to offer a full suite of linear television, VOD, and broadband-delivered content to every room in our customers' homes," Suddenlink CEO, Jerry Kent, said in a prepared statement. "We found that TiVo, by way of its best-in-class user experience, its leading consumer feature set, and rapid time-to-market is a very compelling answer. TiVo will be a significant part of our future plans which will redefine our subscriber proposition with 100% digital video including features like remote DVR programming, universal search with cable VOD, and access to interactive applications like YouTube, Pandora, Rhapsody, and Fandango. We are especially excited about the speed and efficiency with which we can deploy a next-generation product with TiVo. TiVo has modified its retail DVR's to operate with our video-on-demand systems, giving us the ability, in a matter of months, to deploy an incredibly robust software environment, together with a less expensive set-top box. We believe this is a great example of how the cable industry can work with retail device manufacturers on innovative solutions that benefit consumers." Added TiVo president and CEO, Tom Rogers: "Suddenlink is cementing its leadership role in the US cable industry by embracing a solution showcasing the unique capabilities that cable operators can deliver when broadband and digital television are intelligently integrated in one box, with one user interface, one remote control, and one universal search experience. This effort builds on other successful TiVo distribution partnerships which have also leveraged TiVo Premiere as an MSO provisioned platform. We have created a truly revolutionary approach for cable operators who seek an experience to set their service apart without requiring major investments in middleware and expensive set-top boxes."
