Seven brings the TiVo HD DVR to Australia
Seven Media Group, one of Australia’s leading integrated media companies, and TiVo Inc, the creator and leader in digital video recorders, today unveiled plans for the launch of TiVo in Australia.
Australians will be able to enjoy the TiVo experience this month.
Under a mutually exclusive agreement, Seven has created the digital platform to enable TiVo’s digital video recorder and service, including the award-winning TiVo user interface.
All free-to-air television networks’ digital channels in Australia will be available on TiVo DVRs. As FTA broadcasters create more compelling, interactive digital television offerings delivering more choice, more services and more content – the TiVo proposition becomes a compelling case to 70 per cent of Australians who chose free over pay television.
The TiVo service will be available across Australia and will include internationally recognised TiVo features, including Season Pass recordings and WishList™ searches and allow users to access broadband content on their televisions.
Through its partnership with TiVo Inc, Seven is deploying TiVo’s leading interactive advertising capabilities that will lead to new integrated interactive advertising strategies.
TiVo in Australia was announced today by Mr David Leckie, the Chief Executive Officer of Seven Media Group, and Tom Rogers, President and CEO of TiVo Inc.
Mr Leckie said: “TiVo’s arrival in Australia further strengthens free-to-air television in Australia. Over more than five decades, free-to-air television continues to define the media landscape.”
“Our future focuses on creating and delivering programming across multiple channels on digital free-to-air television, of dramatically expanding the television experience for the 7 out of 10 Australians who only watch free-to-air television. And it’s about us meeting new consumer demands for more control, more services and more involvement in the television experience.”
“TiVo will play a key role in the future of free-to-air television in Australia: an industry committed to reflecting the lives of Australians, creating and producing programs that Australians want to watch and introducing the technology and the broader multi-channel platform that will redefine television in this country.”
Mr Rogers said: “We are excited to be partnering with the Seven Media Group to bring Australian television viewers all the benefits that TiVo has to offer.”
“TiVo has transformed the television viewing experience for consumers giving them an unprecedented level of control over the programming they watch, and when they watch it and it does so in an incredibly easy to use and simple way. It also provides endless entertainment options beyond cable and satellite.”
“By working with Seven, one of the foremost media companies in Australia and the world, we have a strong partner that understands that the future of television technology lies at the intersection between broadcast and broadband.
Together, we expect to generate the same success in Australia that we did in the US and establish a platform which will extend our opportunities to grow in other parts of the world.”
TiVo DVRs will be sold through the Harvey Norman owned complexes, Harvey Norman and Domayne. Unwired will support the sales and distribution of TiVo units to both retail and online customers.
“Harvey Norman was chosen as our launch retail partner because of its national reach, with more than 190 stores and its position as the leading home entertainment retailer in Australia,” according to James Warburton, Seven’s Network Director of Sales.
“Customers will not be tied to an ongoing subscription plan and as new features become available TiVo HD automatically updates using the home broadband connection. There will also be additional services and accessories available as optional extras.”
What is TiVo?
With a TiVo HD DVR there is no longer a need for the paper TV guide as the TiVo HD DVR comes with a built-in program guide to record your favourite programs at the touch of a button. Be able to watch favourite programs when it suits, record two programs at once and then watch a third, pre-recorded, program at the same time, view and record high definition (HD) television with amazing high resolution playback picture and sound. What’s more TiVo heralds the end of missing a favourite part rushing to answer the phone (or deal with the kids) because you can pause and rewind LIVE television.
The TiVo HD DVR comes with both a standard and high definition digital tuner which means more channels than analogue. There is no complicated wiring or connection. As the commercial television networks launch new channels in the digital spectrum Australians will be able to see more new channels which analogue neighbours can’t.
But what is the real reason for having a TiVo HD DVR?…Absolute control of what you want to watch and when you want to watch it – through an award winning and friendly user interface – no more flashing lights on the front of the VCR!!.
Request a Season Pass and TiVo HD will record every single episode of a favourite series automatically. The WishList™ feature provides viewers with the ability to identify an actor and their TiVo HD DVR will automatically record programs containing their favourite star.
TiVo KidZone™ provides an oasis of kids programming for children that keeps them in a safe haven of entertainment they will enjoy without the fear of exposing them to content that is inappropriate.
Via the broadband connection, consumers can access new features and functions on their TiVo unit as they are introduced. For example, in addition to TV-specific features – the TiVo HD DVR will soon support viewing family photos on the television (optional upgrade) as well as watch favourite YouTube clips. Video content from the internet is also on the horizon by hiring a movie and downloading it through the home’s broadband connection directly to a TiVo HD DVR for viewing.
Having a TiVo HD DVR means no monthly fees for pay television. The TiVo HD DVR will be available in retail stores from 29 July for a cost of $699. For more information see www.tivo.com.au or visit your nearest Harvey Norman store from 17 July for a demonstration. TiVo, TV Your Way – without the monthly cost.
