TiVo shares spike on wild rumor of Apple TV deal
updated 06:40 pm EDT, Mon July 26, 2010
TiVo linked in sketchy rumor to new Apple TV box
TiVo shares jumped 6.5 percent today on rumors that it was involved in making the next-generation Apple TV. The DVR pioneer was purported by unknown sources to be supplying technology for the new Apple media hub. Neither of the involved companies have commented but are expected to deny the claims.
Detailed rumors have suggested that Apple may be going to those more familiar with a traditional TV experience, such as broadcast designers, but a collaboration between Apple and TiVo is considered unlikely. Apple has often resisted pressure to integrate either with traditional TV or with media services other than iTunes. Most of TiVo's non-TV features involve competing services like Amazon VOD and Netflix that Apple would immediately scrap in a deal.
As a company, TiVo has been struggling to compete both against carrier-supplied DVRs, which are often free with a subscription, as well as Internet video-capable devices such as the Apple TV or Xbox 360. Apple has been relatively successful in the still small field of networked devices but still considers its efforts a "hobby" that may change with talk of an iOS-based device that would stream movies and 99-cent TV rentals. [via Barron's]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2007
please yes!
oh h***, this would be amazin. I cancelled my DirecTV because they still haven't released their new HD TiVo unit. However for me, considering the new AppleTV would still hinge on the programming options.
I'm still of firm mind that Apple is planning to release the new AppleTV as an iOS platform, and I've suspected that they've been waiting to shore up deals with the networks. If they can pull this off, Apple is going to explode. People are fed up with the package deal and want a chinese menu option of content. They also want the digital advantages that services like Hulu and Netflix bring of limited ads and watch anywhere.
Speaking of ads, the way I believe Apple will eventually garner network support is to promise targeted advertising via iAds during programming. This has been the holy grail of TV for quite some time. Neilsen would be blown out of the water, and the ole "interactive TV" might finally become a mainstream reality.
This is the next volley in Apple's war machine, and it's aimed right at the heart of the TV industry. Buy stock while you still can.