TiVo Downloadable Content

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Back in my native land, TiVo has <u>told its subscribers</u> they will be able to download content over broadband connections to their DVRs. The service will launch later this year with programming from the Independent Film Channel.</p>



It's interesting that TiVo aren't offering a live IPTV service. They've got set-top boxes connected to both broadband access and a TV, so they've got everything they need to offer live IPTV. But instead, TiVo is offering a form of "push VoD" -- a model that most associate with satellite operators -- where the content is downloaded first, then offered "on demand" once it's on the hard drive.</p>



The problem for TiVo is that they're a set-top box company, not a network operator. To offer live IPTV, they'd have to put their faith in the speed and reliability of dozens of ISPs. Clearly they're not willing to do that -- and I can't say I blame them. But if this trial works, I could see joint ventures with selected ISPs to offer live IPTV service. Perhaps the TiVo brand, known for the "watch what I want when I want" experience, could cover the VoD piece; and the ISP brand could cover the multichannel piece.</p>



It's worth noting that this situation simply won't arise in Europe. In the US a standalone brand (TiVo) leads the DVR market, while here in Europe that brand doesn't exist and the few DVRs in the market are mostly driven by satellite operators like Sky and Viasat. Regardless, I'll be watching TiVo with curiosity from this side of the ocean. </p>

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