TiVo Rental and TW Rumor

Fresh from a win against EchoStar, TiVo is set to tie directly into pay-per-view systems as well as Time Warner's cable network, according to two sources. The DVR producer is said by Bloomberg to be talking with more than one pay-per-view provider to either allow its recording directly or else to license out the technology for third-party hardware or software. Details are vague, but it would be separate from online-only support for Amazon VOD, Netflix and other services.

Additionally, TiVo has already said it's in negotiations with Time Warner to offer some version of it service through the cable TV network. Whether this would involve unique TiVo hardware, such as DirecTV's TiVo devices, or else just a software feature such as Comcast's isn't clear. It's also uncertain how close the two parties are to a deal.

The end of the patent dispute is believed key to both of the possible deals, as TV networks were likely hesitant to sign a deal should TiVo have lost its case and risked legal retaliation from EchoStar or else striking a deal with a financially struggling TiVo.

By Electronista Staff