TiVo confirms download service

Earlier today TiVo confirmed what every Engadget reader already knew yesterday: that they're testing an on-demand video download service called TiVo Download. So far they're only offering downloads of a couple of shows from the Independent Film Channel, though they'll almost certainly have a bigger lineup when they officially rollout (whenever that is).

[The Jeremy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

How about a deal with the BBC so us TiVo owners can legally download episodes of *Doctor Who* since the SciFi Channel (and others) passed up on the rights to televise the series here in America? Can I get an "amen" to that?

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

"How about a deal with the BBC so us TiVo owners can legally download episodes of *Doctor Who* since the SciFi Channel (and others) passed up on the rights to televise the series here in America?"

Why wouldn't BBC America be showing this at some point? They show all of the other BBC shows that they think have even a snowball's chance of attracting an audience here (many of which actually don't).

Anyway, is this TiVo Download service going to include movies or just TV shows? Because if it's just TV shows, how is it any better than the on-demand services many cable providers offer these days?

[Topmounter @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Interesting, I'll be curious to see how this works exactly. Will it be integrated with the Tivo PC software? Or will you download directly to your Tivo over a broadband connection?

[The Jeremy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

BBC America is co-owned with Discovery Networks. It is a niche channel because it isn't included as part of basic cable. Ergo, poor market penetration.

Getting a deal with TiVo would generate buzz in the mass media and possibly open up the show being picked up by SciFi, Spike, or some other basic cable channel that is genre-friendly.

How would this help TiVo? Because it makes them credible as again challenging the media distribution model. Production companies who had their pilots rejected by the networks could shop their wares to TiVo in an attempt to gauge if the proposed programs could be popular amongst viewers, and thus TiVo could charge those eager production companies for the right to reach the TiVo subscriber base in that endeavour. And thus it would open up a potentially lucrative additional revenue stream for TiVo.

[The Jeremy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Should also point out that IFC is a niche player too. Obviously they signed with TiVo on this partnership as an easy way to generate buzz about their channel to people (TiVo subscribers) who might not be familiar with the channel because it isn't a basic cable channel. Thus this hopefully would create viewer demand for IFC and place some pressure on the cablecos to give IFC a more favorable lineup slot in some markets.

[Hoss @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

how can i get this on my tivo? Its only showing the 40 yearold virgin atm. I've got it connected to the internet via ethernet.

[Andy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

It seems that this is could be the perfect method to bring a service such as Spectravsion to the home screen. Currently, hotels have services where you can pay to view current movies in the room. I don't know about you, but I would gladly pay $20 to watch a new movie at home instead of having to go to a multiplex theater and eat overpriced popcorn.

[stephen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

same problem as Hoss, i don''t know why im not getting it!

[Sean DL @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

"I would gladly pay $20 to watch a new movie at home instead of having to go to a multiplex theater and eat overpriced popcorn."

Starting next year, you will be able to do that. One of the studios is going to "release" a couple of their movies at the theaters and on DVD and OnDemand.


"how can i get this on my tivo? Its only showing the 40 yearold virgin"

You had to sign up for the beta test that was going on to get this feature I believe. They are test all the new stuff this month for a "fall release".

[noone @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Anyone heard that Google is making a service called "Search, TV" for the TiVo, a google blogger said Google is playing with the TiVo SDK.
I read its a service that allows you to search by day week month for keywords and it will bring up the shows that deal with those keywords.
Anyone got more details?

[noone @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Galleon for TiVo is amazing link below.
http://galleon.sourceforge.net/phpwiki/