TiVo
Unveils New DVR Design That Supports HDTV
1/09/2003 |
New Platform Expands TiVo Licensing Portfolio Into Fast
Growing, High Demand HDTV Format
January 9, 2003 - Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas, NV
January 9, 2003 -- TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO), the creator of and
leader in television services for digital video recorders
(DVR), today announced it has developed the first DVR platform
that supports recording in High Definition Television formats.
The reference design will be licensed to leading CE
manufacturers who are expected to offer the new DVR to
consumers by the end of the year. In a related announcement,
today DIRECTV and TiVo announced they would develop a new
DIRECTV HDTV Digital Video Recorder with TiVo
The new design offers viewers the flexibility of a DVR that
is equipped to record todays analog broadcasts along with the
capability for recording the rapidly expanding programming
offerings in HDTV. The company said the HDTV format DVR is one
of the new products most frequently requested by technology
licensing partners as well as TiVo subscribers.
"HDTV has arrived and our consumer electronics partners
have been eager to incorporate a TiVo HDTV DVR into their
digital receivers," said Mike Ramsay, CEO of TiVo. "This is an
important step in DVR technology that will give our licensing
partners the ability to offer their consumers an HDTV platform
DVR with the TiVo service before the end of the year."
The TiVo HDTV reference design will offer all the same
unique recording and viewing features currently available for
the TiVo Series2 and will also support all high-definition
formats, including 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i. The source of
the HDTV signal may be ATSC terrestrial HD broadcasts or
satellite HD broadcast. The platform will also be capable of
encoding a standard definition analog signal from terrestrial
antenna, cable or satellite, identical to current generation
TiVo platform functionality.
HDTV offers significantly improved audio and picture
quality over analog broadcasts. The rich TiVo user interface
and program guide provides a consistent way to search and
recorder either analog or digital broadcasts, significantly
improving upon the basic program information delivered with
the broadcast.
This new TiVo will also offer HDTV viewers all the viewer
friendly features that are standard on the TiVo Series2,
including Pause Live TV, Season PassTM, for easily
recording an entire season of favorite shows, and WishListTM,
which lets TiVo find and record shows viewers love.
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DIRECTV AND TiVo to
Introduce New High-Definition 1/09/2003 |
DIRECTV
and TiVo to demonstrate new DIRECTV HDTV DVR at CES
January 9, 2003 - LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2003 -- DIRECTV, Inc. and TiVo
(NASDAQ:TIVO) announced today that they will introduce a new DIRECTV HDTV
DVR that will enable consumers to record and playback DIRECTV high-
definition, as well as standard-definition DIRECTV programming and
terrestrial ATSC broadcasts. The companies will demonstrate the new
receivers this week at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las
Vegas (DIRECTV Booth 13525, TiVo Booth N208).
The DIRECTV HDTV DVR is expected to be available to consumers by
year-end. The DIRECTV DVR with TiVo service will apply all the familiar
TiVo functions to DIRECTV and ATSC high-definition programming --
including the ability to record, pause, instant replay and rewind live
television. The new DIRECTV HDTV DVR will feature a larger recording
capacity than existing DIRECTV DVRs, and will feature component and
digital video outputs for enhanced audio and video. Manufacturers and
pricing will be announced at a later date.
"Our new HDTV DVR combines the best HDTV and DVR features in one receiver
and is clearly a product for which our discriminating customers have been
waiting, said Brad Beale, senior vice president, Product Development and
Advanced Services, DIRECTV, Inc. They no longer have to choose between
high-definition or DVR. The new DVR takes whats best about TiVo, the
ability to personalize TV viewing, into the realm of high-definition for
an even more extraordinary DVR experience."
"HDTV is no doubt the future of home entertainment and we are excited to
work with DIRECTV to bring HDTV and TiVo together." said Ta-Wei Chien
senior VP and general manager, TiVo Technology and Licensing. "DIRECTV
brings the best of new technology to its subscribers, which means HDTV and
TiVo. This is a winning combination."
In addition to the component outputs and S-Video, the new DIRECTV HDTV
DVR will incorporate a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connector with
high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP). The component or DVI may
be configured for all HD formats or standard definition. Details on the
size of the hard drive will be available at a later date.
DIRECTV offers four HDTV channels -- HBO HDTV (programming from the HBO
East channel), SHOWTIME HDTV (programming from the SHOWTIME East
channel), a high-definition channel featuring pay per view movies from
major motion picture studios, and HDNet, an all HD network that will offer
the largest selection of sports programming available in high definition.
The DIRECTV HDTV DVR, like existing DIRECTV DVRs, will also have the
ability to enable viewers to create a Season Pass to automatically record
every episode of favorite shows, and, using the WishList feature,
instruct the recorder to find and record shows featuring favorite actors,
directors, sports teams or interests.
Pricing information on the new DIRECTV HDTV DVR box will be announced at
a later date and a monthly subscription fee will be required to receive
the DIRECTV DVR with TiVo service.
DIRECTV, DISH Add Missing Local Stations
09/19/2002 |
Beginning today, DirecTV will offer local TV channels for its customers
in Knoxville, Tenn.
The Knoxville channels include WATE (ABC), WBXX (WB), WVLT (CBS), WTNZ
(FOX), WBIR (NBC), and WKOP (PBS). The new package will receive local
channels from a satellite at the 119-degree orbital slot, requiring the
use of a multi-satellite capable system.
In a separate development at the other satellite TV company, TMPG Media
Innovation, a media strategy and promotional marketing agency, said it
reached an agreement for the media planning and broadcast buying
assignments for EchoStar and its DISH Network satellite TV service.
TMPG said it's providing EchoStar with a full range of strategic media
services, including national and local media planning and buying
activities for television and radio as well as promotional media
campaigns.
DIRECTV, DISH Add Missing Local Stations
08/31/2002 |
Both DIRECTV and EchoStar's DISH Network added stations to their
respective local TV packages.
At DIRECTV, the satellite TV service is now offering local TV channels
in Norfolk, Va. The market also includes Portsmouth and Newport News. In
addition, KWTV (CBS) channel 9 was added to its local TV package in
Oklahoma City. The package launched in the market on July 30.
Oklahoma City and Norfolk viewers will receive local channels from a
DIRECTV satellite at the 119-degree orbital slot, which requires the use
of a multi-satellite capable DIRECTV system, which consists of a single
dish and receiver.
As for DISH Network, the service now offers Indianapolis' local WB,
WTTV channel-4. WTTV carries Indiana Pacers and Indiana University sports
events as well as the WNBA's Indiana Fever and the NFL Indianapolis Colts.
TiVo Reports 2Q, Expands Sony Partnership
08/31/2002 |
During its fiscal second quarter, which ended July 31, TiVo added
42,000 net subscribers for its personal video recorder service, bringing
its total subscriber base to approximately 464,000.
TiVo said its subscriber base has more than doubled in the past 12
months.
Revenue for the quarter totaled $23.9 million, nearly six times the
revenues totaling $4.1 million reported during the same period last year.
TiVo's net loss for the quarter was $3.0 million, compared to $34.5
million reported during the fiscal second quarter last year.
In addition to the financial report, TiVo also announced that Sony will
offer a new digital video recorder with the TiVo service in the U.S.
market this holiday season. The next-generation unit uses technology
licensed from TiVo. The introduction of the product follows Sony's recent
launch of a DVR in the Japanese market also using technology licensed from
TiVo.
SBCA Fights California Dish Tax
08/31/2002 |
The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association wrote state
lawmakers in California last week urging them to oppose a five percent tax
on consumers who receive satellite TV.
SBCA President Andy Wright told members of the California Assembly the
dish tax, which he said is being pushed by cable operators, is
anti-competitive. "It clearly seeks to use California tax policy to shore
up cables falling market share by taxing only consumers who have
abandoned cable for the superior quality, choice, service and digital
signal provided by satellite," he said in a letter sent to Assembly
members Friday.
Wright also said a statewide tax on satellite TV "is in no way
analogous to locally assessed franchise fees and other user fees paid by
cable."
The SBCA move follows efforts by DIRECTV, based in the Los Angeles
area, to fight the dish tax.
The satellite TV tax is contained in a section of state legislation
dealing with Californias Fiscal Year 2003 budget.
DIRECTV Increases Number of Channels Offering Dolby Digital
06/22/2002 |
More Than 20
Channels Now Available in Dolby Digital 5.1
DIRECTV now offers more than 20 channels in Dolby Digital 5.1. Recently
adding Dolby Digital 5.1 to standard-definition and high-definition
premium movie channels, DIRECTV presents 10 pay per view movie channels
and a special event channel with Dolby Digital scheduled on an ad-hoc
basis.
By expanding our Dolby Digital-enabled channels, we continue to raise
the bar in technological advancements that make DIRECTV the clear choice
for consumers seeking a digital-quality programming experience, said Dave
Baylor, executive vice president, DIRECTV, Inc. Dolby Digital enables our
customers to experience a true theatre-like atmosphere without leaving the
comfort of their own homes.
The 11 premium channels that DIRECTV offers in Dolby Digital are Starz!
East, Starz! West, SHOWTIME East, SHOWTIME West, SHOWTIME 2 East, SHOWTIME
Showcase, SHOWTIME Extreme, SHOWTIME HDTV, HBO East, HBO West, and HBO
HDTV. For each of these channels, DIRECTV delivers a Dolby Digital
multichannel audio feed in addition to an MPEG two-channel (stereo) audio
feed. HDNet, a sports and entertainment high-definition channel, provides
a portion of its programming in Dolby Digital.
"As the number of Dolby Digital 5.1 home theater receivers in American
homes continues to rapidly increase, viewer demand has made Dolby Digital
5.1 broadcasting capability a standard feature for high-quality
multichannel television services, " said Tom Daily, Marketing director,
Professional Audio, Dolby Laboratories. "DIRECTV brings its customers the
same quality audio that DVD provides to meet the demands of discerning
viewers."
Daily adds, "Being the first multichannel television service to offer
Dolby Digital 5.1 and now boasting a tally of more than 20 Dolby Digital
5.1 audio-capable channels, DIRECTV has emerged as the multichannel audio
leader for satellite television providers." To receive DIRECTV
programming in Dolby Digital, customers must purchase a Dolby
Digital-enabled DIRECTV Receiver, which is available from
authorized DIRECTV retailers nationwide.
More than 10 million U.S. households are equipped with Dolby Digital
5.1 home receivers and an estimated 3.8 million satellite set-top boxes
are able to deliver a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio stream. As the number of
Dolby 5.1-channel devices continues to rise, more networks are
broadcasting in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.
For a listing of programs broadcast in Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, please
visit www.dolby.com/tvaudio.
HDNet Inks Arena
Football Deal 05/28/2002 |
HDNet and the Arena Football League signed an agreement to broadcast
live high-definition TV coverage of AFL games during the second half of
the 2002 regular season. AFL action on HDNet's DIRECTV channel 199 begins
June 1 when the Los Angeles Avengers host the Dallas Desperados at 10:30
p.m. EST. A complete schedule of programming, including rebroadcasts of
games, is available at www.hd.net.
DIRECTV, Starz and TiVo
Test SVOD 05/28/2002 |
DIRECTV is working with Starz Encore and TiVo on testing a subscription
video-on-demand (SVOD) service for satellite TV and for the personal video
recorder environment.
Beginning this summer, DIRECTV customers with a TiVo receiver, and who
subscribe to the Starz Super Pak, will have access to a selection of
movies automatically delivered by satellite to their receivers. Films like
"Jurassic Park III" and "Pearl Harbor" will be available on demand for
viewing at any time with full PVR capabilities, the companies said.
The test will be free for viewers who subscribe to Starz.
DIRECTV, iN DEMAND Ink
NHL Package Deal 05/21/2002 |
The National Hockey League signed multi-year renewal agreements with
DIRECTV and cable pay-per-view provider iN DEMAND for carriage of the NHL
Center Ice package, beginning next season.
NHL Center Ice offers hockey fans up to 40 out-of-market games a week
during the NHL regular season, plus select first-round and second-round
Stanley Cup Playoff games.
In addition to Center Ice carriage, DIRECTV will offer a new channel - the
NHL Network - to NHL Center Ice subscribers and as part of its Sports Pack
subscription. In DEMAND also will offer the new network to NHL Center Ice
subscribers.
DIRECTV has offered NHL Center Ice since the package's inception during
the 1995-1996 season. EchoStar's DISH Network doesn't carry NHL Center
Ice. In Demand has offered the NHL Center Ice package since the 1999-2000
season.
DISH Outlines Support
for Transaction 02/05/2002 |
EchoStar and Hughes Electronics, parent of DIRECTV, didn't
file comments on their pending merger at the Federal Communications
Commission on Monday, the date in which comments were due on the $26
billion deal. But the companies will file a formal response with the
agency on Feb. 25 when the commission takes responses to comments and
oppositions to petitions seeking to deny the transaction.
Dozens of comments both for and against the pending merger
have been filed at the FCC. EchoStar has received numerous filings in
support of the deal, including a thumbs up from consumer groups such as
the U.S. Internet Industry Association, Small Business Survival Committee,
Citizens for a Sound Economy, the National Alliance of Medical Researchers
and Teaching Physicians, Project 21 (an African American business
association), among others.
In addition, major consumer electronics firms - among them
Thomson MultiMedia and Sharp Electronics - endorsed the merger at the FCC.
Thomson recently partnered with EchoStar for the manufacture of set-top
boxes.
"After the FCC reviews all the comments they have received
and thoroughly examines all the facts involving spectrum efficiencies,
rural access to broadband, local channels delivered via satellite and
other benefits to the American public, we are confident that the FCC will
find that the pending merger is in the public interest," said Charlie
Ergen, chairman and CEO of EchoStar.
"Through the merger of EchoStar and Hughes, we can offer
affordable, high-speed Internet access to virtually every community in the
United States; more than double the markets in which we offer local
channels, including at least one market in every state; and enhance
programming and interactive content to the pay-television consumer," Ergen
said. "The combined company will offer nationwide pricing and will be a
competitive force against cable."
NRTC Merger Concerns
Still on Choice, Competition 02/04/2002 |
According to the National Rural Telecommunications
Cooperative, concern about a combination of satellite TV assets controlled
by EchoStar and DIRECTV still comes down to reduced choice and competition
for rural TV viewers.
That's what the NRTC said in a draft
summary of its comments on the merger obtained by SkyREPORT. The
cooperative said in its draft that "tens of millions of rural homes" - up
to 25 million or more - are not passed by cable and have no access to any
multichannel services except through EchoStar's DISH Network and DIRECTV.
A combination of the two companies would create a monopoly DBS provider in
rural/underserved areas, the NRTC said.
The cooperative also said promises from
EchoStar that a combined satellite TV entity would adopt a national
pricing structure "are no substitute for competition and will not protect
rural Americans from the effects of a monopoly."
Today, the NRTC and others will file
comments on the proposed merger at the Federal Communications Commission.
In the past few weeks, filings and letters of support and opposition to
the deal have been flooding the agency.
In addition to pay-TV concerns, the
cooperative said 40 million homes are not passed by high-speed cable or
DSL facilities and have no access to high-speed Internet service except
via satellite. Today, the two competing providers of broadband satellite
services are StarBand, controlled by EchoStar, and DirecWay, owned by
Hughes. The merger would combine the two entities "and create a monopoly
in the delivery of broadband services to rural Americans," the NRTC said
in its draft comments.
The NRTC draft comments also asked that
EchoStar be required to file all relevant contracts concerning its
relationship with Vivendi Universal.
TiVo
Introduces TiVo Series2 -- Next Generation Digital Video Recorder |
Low cost platform offers more recording capacity and enables new
entertainment services starting at $299
January 8, 2002 - Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas, NV January 8,
2002 TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO) the creator and leader of television services
for digital video recording, today introduced a new digital video recorder
(DVR), the TiVo Series2 DVR. TiVos next- generation DVR offers more
recording capacity at a lower cost and will enable new entertainment
services such as digital music, digital photos, broadband video on demand,
and video party games that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
TiVo DVRs record television programming directly to a digital hard drive,
eliminating the hassles of videotape. The TiVo Series2 offers up to 60
hours of recording time, in a newly designed box that is TiVos smallest
and sleekest yet. A 40-hour version of the Series2 recorder is currently
available from AT&T Broadband for $299 at www.attbroadband.tivo.com. The
60-hour TiVo Series2 will first be available to consumers beginning in
February 2002 at www.tivo.com for $399. Customers interested in
pre-ordering the new product can go to www.tivo.com now and register to be
first in line when sales begin.
TiVo Series2 DVR has two USB expansion ports, providing easy connectivity
with peripheral devices, such as digital cameras, MP3 or CD players. This
connectivity will also enable TiVo subscribers to access exciting new
entertainment services like music, digital photos, video party games,
Internet radio and broadband video on demand. Today, TiVo announced
industry partnerships (see related release dated January 8, 2002), to
develop these new entertainment services in time for the holiday season of
2002.
"You cant win in this market with techno baubles and gadgets. We have
inspired consumers by recognizing its 90 percent about entertainment, and
10 percent about technology. Weve learned from our loyal TiVo subscribers
that consumers want the latest and hottest technology, but demand
ease-of-use and a better entertainment experience," said Mike Ramsay, CEO
of TiVo. "Spending time at home with the family, relaxing and being
entertained should be comfortable, not complicated. TiVo Series2
delivers an easy-to-use and easy-to-enjoy home entertainment experience."
TiVo DVR Series2 Feature Highlights
Specific features and functionality in the new TiVo include:
Up to 60 hours of recording time without the hassles of videotape
Sleeker dimensions of 15" width by 11.5" depth by 3" height for convenient
fit in home entertainment systems
As with all TiVo standalone units, the TiVo DVR Series2 is compatible with
and connects easily to virtually every television model available. It also
works with VCRs, TV antennas, cable systems, and satellite systems
Improved patented remote control that allows for easy program recording as
well as control of multiple TiVos in the home
Enhanced graphics engine
2 USB expansion ports to connect to peripheral devices like digital
cameras, network adaptors, MP3 and CD players, etc.
Ready to run multiple entertainment services such as digital music,
digital photos, video party games and broadband video-on-demand
Media interested in reviewing the TiVo DVR Series2 should contact TiVo PR
or go to www.tivo.com/pressroom.
TiVo partners with RealNetworks, Jellyvision and Radiance to deliver
music, games and broadband video on demand services
January 8, 2002 - Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas, NV January 8,
2002 TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO) the creator and leader of television services
for digital video recording, announced strategic partnerships with
RealNetworks, Jellyvision and Radiance to deliver new entertainment
services for its next-generation digital video recorder (DVR), TiVo
Series2. TiVo will distribute new digital music, video party games and
video on demand services. Services are expected to be available in time
for the 2002 holiday season.
"From TiVos inception weve known that delivery of music, photos and
games would be a natural extension to the easy to use DVR service TiVo
offers today," said Mike Ramsay, CEO, TiVo Inc. "We are happy to be
working with premier services partners to make that a reality, delivering
a whole new world of TV entertainment a world of fun video party games,
music, photography, video on demand and more, to our customers living
rooms, no PC required."
New Entertainment Services: Music, Video on Demand, Games, and Photos
The TiVo Series2 DVR, announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las
Vegas (see related release dated January 8) will enable these new
entertainment services:
RealNetworks RealOne Player will be integrated into all TiVo Series2 DVRs,
enabling TiVo subscribers to create and manage their music collection on
TiVos hard disc and subscribe to RealNetworks RealOne Music service.
RealOne Music will enable TiVo customers to download and stream music from
the music catalogs of major and independent labels, listen to more than
2,000 Internet radio stations and view artist and album information. TiVo
users will have the option to activate the RealOne Player when they
activate the TiVo Service for an incremental monthly subscription fee.
"TiVo is the leader in revolutionizing consumers relationship with
television. We are excited to work with TiVo to offer TiVo subscribers
music management and the ability to listen to music on their TiVo
DVR,"said Dan Sheeran, vice president, media systems, RealNetworks, Inc.
"Music is an important part of the media experience in the home and
embedding RealOne Player with RealOne Music functionality will bring a
whole new experience to the living room."
Jellyvision, the creator of PC games, "You Dont Know Jack", "Smush" and
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire", will work with TiVo to create new video
party games that will run on TiVo Series2. "Jellyvision is very excited
about bringing to life truly interactive television with TiVo," said
Amanda Lannert, president, Jellyvision, Inc. "Their new platform is going
to allow us to launch interactive programs that, unlike a web site, offer
full-screen audio-visual experiences with the pacing of television and the
creative production values to engage a truly mass audience. All to be
enjoyed in the comfort of your living room."
Radiance Technologies, Inc., an emerging delivery management software
company, will have its client integrated into the TiVo Series2 DVR as a
foundation for broadband delivery management services. In addition,
Radiance will work with TiVo to develop and integrate into the TiVo
platform an Internet Video-on-Demand (iVOD) application and toolkit atop
the Radiance client. Content providers will benefit from the combination
of end-to-end content security and the superior economics of Radiances
scheduled delivery approach.
"TiVo has always been about giving consumers more choice and more control
over what they view on television,"said Ash Munshi, CEO of Radiance
Technologies, Inc."We are excited that Radiance has been selected as a
strategic partner for dramatically expanding the choices available to TiVo
users via Internet Video on Demand and other broadband managed delivery
services."
TiVo subscribers with TiVo Series2 DVRs will be able to sign up for these
new services from RealNetworks and Jellyvision by the holiday season,
2002.
In addition to these services, TiVo showcased the capability to deliver
digital photo services on the new platform. Consumers will be able to hook
up their digital cameras to their TiVo Series2 to view and share family
photos on their TVs, and even order prints.
TiVo DVR Becomes the Music Management Hub of the Living Room,
Consumers Get Access to Music from Over 10,000 Artists
January 8, 2002 - Consumer Electronics Show, LAS VEGAS, January 8, 2002
TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO, Booth #N201) and RealNetworks, Inc. (Nasdaq:
RNWK, Booth #14824) today announced that TiVo DVR (Digital Video Recorder)
customers will be able to download, personalize, manage and play their
favorite music, streaming video and other digital content from the comfort
of their living rooms through RealOneTM Player and RealOne Music.
As part of the multi-year agreement, RealOne Player will be integrated
into TiVos next-generation DVR, TiVo Series2, as the default digital
music management software for TiVo subscribers. Through RealOne Player on
the TiVo DVR, consumers will be able to copy their CD collections from an
external CD drive or a PC onto the TiVo DVR hard drive, download music
through RealOne Music, manage their music collection by remote control on
their TVs, transfer music onto portable devices and burn audio CDs through
an external CD-R drive. In addition, consumers will be able to stream more
than 2,000 Internet radio stations and view artist and album information.
TiVo users will have the option to activate the RealOne Player for an
incremental monthly subscription fee when they activate the TiVo Service.
TiVo will also offer consumers a subscription to RealOne Music, enabling
them to download and stream tracks from the music catalogs of major and
independent labels via the MusicNet platform.
"We are excited to be working with RealNetworks to offer consumers the
ability to make their TiVo DVR the center of their entertainment
experience in the living room," said Mike Ramsay, CEO, TiVo Inc. "With
RealOne Player, RealOne Music and a remote, consumers will be able to
organize and play Internet radio, digital music they have recorded from
their own CD collection and music streamed or downloaded through RealOne
Music. RealNetworks has long been the leader in digital media delivery,
and now consumers can use their TiVo to manage all their music and video
entertainment."
"RealNetworks is committed to delivering great Internet media experiences
from any platform to any device anywhere," said Larry Jacobson, president
and COO, RealNetworks, Inc. "TiVo redefined its customers relationship
with television. Now with RealOne Player TiVo customers will be able to
access the Internet and manage their music from one location, their TiVo
DVR."
Consumers are expected to be able to get RealOne Player and RealOne Music
in TiVo DVRs in the second half of 2002. As part of the agreement,
consumer electronics and other OEM licensees of TiVos DVR service and
technology will have access to the embedded RealOne Player and the RealOne
Music service.
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