Comcast and TiVo have inked a deal for the latter to provide software for the former’s Motorola DVR platform. Which is what we have.
W00t!
According to TiVo’s press release:
Under the terms of the agreement, Comcast and TiVo will work together to develop a version of the TiVo service that will be made available on Comcast’s current primary DVR platform. New software will be developed by TiVo and will be incorporated into Comcast’s existing network platforms. The new service will be marketed with the TiVo brand, and is expected to be available on Comcast’s DVR products in a majority of Comcast markets in mid-to-late 2006.
This long-term, non-exclusive partnership will provide millions of Comcast customers with the opportunity to choose the TiVo service, including TiVo’s award-winning user interface and features like Season Pass(TM) and WishList(TM), as an additional option. In addition, the service will showcase TiVo’s home networking, multimedia, and broadband capabilities.
Now, to be sure, I’ve been passingly pleased with the iGuide software (I believe it is) on our DVR, but this sounds like the best of both worlds — TiVo’s innovative industry-leading interface with Comcast’s dirt-cheap prices. Win-win. Especially for the constantly-on-deathwatch TiVo.
It does seem that the TiVo software will be an add-on option to the Comcast service, to be sure, above and beyond the current $10. Depending on the price delta, we’ll be scrutinizing if we think it’s worth it. Still, good news overall.
(via PVRblog)