DirecTV to Upgrade Old TiVo Boxes

Early 2008 Software Upgrade to Add Three New Features to DVRs

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 7/31/2007 6:38:00 PM

DirecTV and TiVo plan to provide three new features via a software upgrade to customers of the direct-broadcast satellite operator who have TiVo digital-video recorders based on TiVo’s Series2 platform.

The upgrade, to be available in early 2008, will provide a recently deleted folder, overlap protection -- which prevents a recording from being canceled if two programs overlap by a few minutes -- and online scheduling of recordings with a feature called “Remote Booking.”

In addition, the companies said they will “continue to explore ways” to develop enhancements to the TiVo service offered through DirecTV. As of April 30, about 2.6 million DirecTV customers had TiVo DVRs.

DirecTV began offering TiVo DVRs to customers in 2000. In April 2006, both companies announced an extension of their deal through early 2010. However, DirecTV no longer deploys new TiVo boxes.

"It is important to us that our customers with TiVo service also have access to the latest DVR technology, and we look forward to exploring additional opportunities with TiVo," DirecTV executive vice president of content strategy and development Derek Chang said in a statement.

TiVo earlier this month announced the TiVo HD DVR, with a list price of $299, which the company is targeting toward cable customers. The DVR maker is also working with Comcast and Cox Communications, which are preparing to launch TiVo-branded services later this year.