First Retail Cable Set-Top With DVR That Delivers Linear TV, Broadband Content and Xfinity On Demand Library All From One Box
TiVo and Comcast announced an agreement to enable access to Comcast’s library of Xfinity TV On Demand content on TiVo Premiere set-top boxes sold at retail. For the first time, Comcast customers in select markets will be able to use a TiVo Premiere box to enjoy a fully integrated offering of On Demand programs, along with linear television and a range of broadband services, all accessible through TiVo’s user interface and intuitive search capabilities.
Under the agreement, Comcast will make its Xfinity TV On Demand service accessible on TiVo Premiere set-top boxes in many of its largest markets, with the first expected to be the San Francisco Bay Area with a plan for additional markets to follow. In each of those markets Comcast and TiVo plan to partner on promotion of this new service in retail and other sales channels. Comcast will install TiVo Premiere set-top boxes with its cable service at no additional charge for its customers when the service is available in those markets.
“Adding Comcast’s On Demand library to TiVo Premiere is a fantastic win for consumers because it will offer access to the ultimate television viewing experience with the programming viewers want. Traditional TV channels, On Demand and broadband delivered content will all be accessible with TiVo’s universal search capability and TiVo’s stunning HD user-interface,” said Tom Rogers, President and CEO of TiVo Inc. “And, this partnership will make it easy for our mutual customers to enjoy both their TiVo service and Comcast’s Xfinity TV with the more than 25,000 On Demand programs it offers along with the ease of Comcast arranged installation.”
“We’re pleased to combine Comcast’s industry leading On Demand library with the innovative TiVo experience and provide our customers even more choice and convenience,” said Marcien Jenckes, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video Services for Comcast. “Working with TiVo to allow customers to access our Xfinity TV On Demand service complements our commitment to bring any content to any device, at any time.”
How it works
CNET reported if you buy a new TiVo Premiere, Comcast will install it with its cable service at no additional charge. These customers will then have access to Comcast’s Xfinity VOD content as well as their regular programming and Internet services that are available on retail TiVo Premiere units.
No tuning adapter or any other special equipment is required; all you’ll have is a CableCard installed in the Premiere. Again, these are just regular Premiere boxes, so if you already have one, you should be good to go, too.
For anyone looking to replace their Comcast HD DVR, this seems like a promising solution. No word on pricing or roll out dates.
