TiVo's KidZone offers new parental control options

Sure ratings have been embedded in television programs for a while now, but TiVo has realized that most parents can't figure out the rating schemes, and end up not doing anything. Or, more likely, they resort to enlisting their child to set up the show lock-out system, benefiting merely the kids by giving them complete control over the viewing habits of their parents. So TiVo plans to fix all that with a new system called KidZone that relies on two groups promoting family programming, Common Sense Media and the Parents Television Council, to pick which shows are cool for the child's age range, and locking out the rest. You can also set up a custom list of shows, or modify the suggested lists, but all of this still hinges on a password, so TiVo had better make the instructions plenty clear for those among the parenting masses who never learned how to program a VCR clock. KidZone will roll out as a free software update in June.

[William Higgins @ Mar 2nd 2006 9:45AM]

Really, a whole media event for this...? Wow this sucks. TiVo, why not just run an add in Parents Magazine.

[loker @ Mar 2nd 2006 9:47AM]

ok? are we positive this is from the event and not some news just released.....because if this is from the event then tivo has pissed me off for getting my hopes up....

[garfong @ Mar 2nd 2006 10:13AM]

Well...at least R&D is doing something with the money we send in every month.

[Dale @ Mar 2nd 2006 10:34AM]

Seriously. Is this what they announced today?

[Pacey @ Mar 2nd 2006 10:41AM]

This is the first time in a long while that TiVo has had the hype machine on it's side. If this is the only thing that TiVo announces today, they are going to disappoint a loyal fanbase. A fanbase that has been sitting around with 3-4 year old technology begging for an update beyond web radio, begging for HD support and we get KidZone?

Just look at how much crap is spewing around about the Motorola box the Comcast uses. Isn't this the absolute perfect time for TiVo to come in and save everyone from a horrid dvr'ing experience? Not to mention the fact that it would help Comcast by keeping their customers from switching to a competitor.

[glacia00 @ Mar 2nd 2006 10:57AM]

There are people for whom this is their most serious concern. Not having kids I can't identify with it. But at my previous job it was a daily topic of conversation. "How do I set the parental controls?" "What do all those codes mean." "My kid knows the equipment better than I do."

Granted I also called them idiots every day... But it was of great concern to these people.

[Saffy @ Mar 2nd 2006 10:58AM]

Is the Bush administration naming things for Tivo now? "KidZone" as a tool for controling the content the wee lads can see sounds an awful lot like the "clear skies initiative" --which lowers emmission standards-- to me. If Orwell were still alive, he'd be rakin' in the royalty checks.

[Dale @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:15AM]

HEY ENGADGET!! Is this what they announced today? Can you clarify this post? (And get that stupid 1996 stock image off there.)

[raph @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:20AM]

As a techie, I'm continuously perplexed my Tivo's inability to innovate.
They have brand recognition and had a huge head start. They let it go to waste.
From the article, Tivo is trying to differentiate itself through this offering... well I can tell them one thing is that you don't differentiate yourself by rolling out a feature that is reproducible.
For my own interest, I wish it was the TivoToGo extension to iPod, as it is what I'm waiting for, but realisticaly it is not a feature used by the masses.

From their posturing, I would guess Tivo is electing to be a niche player who will no longer fight to be the main DVR provider.

[Mark @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:23AM]

Yes this is Tivo's official announcement. This is the biggest letdown from Tivo ever. Tivo has made a lot of mistakes and stupid announcements in the past, but this is the topper.

[Robert Aitchison @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:31AM]

That's the big announcement? Talk about weaksauce.

I know nothing of Common Sense Media but the PTC just plain sucks, this one tiny group is responsible for 99.8% of all FCC complaints and in effect controls what all of the U.S. is allowed to watch on broadcast TV or listen to on the radio.

At least this service seems to aim to put the control in the hands of individual parents, rather than have the PTC decide (more than they already do anyways) still this seems like a problem in search of a solution, the TiVo Parental controls are already effective at making sure that my kids don't watch shows they shouldn't like Family Guy or South Park.

I can't help but be highly skeptical of anything that the PTC is involved in, From my perspective TiVo mighty as well have announced a new partnership with Macrovision or the MPAA, I don't even need to know what it's about to know that it's not something that I'm going to like.

[Dan Corrigan @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:17PM]

What would be *really* useful would be a Tivo Service that would blank the display and/or audio for objectional content only, allowing the rest of the show to be seen.

That way I could watch something like Day of the Dead, or Resident Evil with my kid without having to have a hand on the fast forward button (and not to mention occassionally yelling an expletive when I'm too slow hitting the button.)

[roscolux @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:24PM]

Come on Tivo!!! I need series three, i fight with my comcast dual dvr everyday!!!

[Not Ralph @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:27PM]

Hey TiVo: so what?

I'm soooo ready to ditch TiVo when DirecTV introduces their HDTV DVR later this year.

[Alex @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:41PM]

I, like everyone else, am extremely disappointed by this announcement. There was no reason for them to build up hype by announcing that they were going to announce something, only to let this be the big "initiative."

I want a cable card DVR! Let's hope apple releases one at their anniversary event.

[thehans @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:54PM]

Dammit! So far this has been a really dissapointing week for HDTV users. I was hoping for some HD news with the Apple event. There is a glimmer of hope with the new MacMini, it sounds as though it's ready to play some HD content now that is has a much better processor and Digital Audio Out. But still no content. We live in a strange time when you can get HD quality movie previews but not HD quality movies. I am still trying to figure out what Jobs meant by saying "This will be the year of HD", which was last year. And now Tivo with it's weak ass event. I don't think this lame news will even make it to a Christian Newsletter. Quite possibly the most dissapointing week in technology.

[BDC @ Mar 2nd 2006 1:02PM]

Hey! I can't believe it� TiVo announced TivoToGo for the Mac. Universal, transfers easily to your ipod and PSP and allows Apple's iTunes downloads to be played on you TV.

Oh wait, no they didn't.

[Charlie @ Mar 2nd 2006 2:29PM]

Yes! In your face, Apple!

For years, Tivo has labored in the shadow of flashier companies like Apple, but this week, TIVO SHINES BRIGHTEST!!

Sure, Apple held a press conference to announce a $99 leather iPod sock, but Tivo triumphed, announcing a software update that duplicates the functionality found in your tv (v-chip) and set-top box (most have parental controls)... and doesn't serve the majority of their customers (DirecTivo users).

Take that, Case!

[mightymatt @ Mar 2nd 2006 3:49PM]

ok, i'm going to pretend for a second that this tivo annoucment isn't completly lame...
let's pretend that they just introduced a new hd unit... now here's my response...

Oh my god ! a new hd unit! i don't believe it... you see that, and everybody was saying that tivo had stopped innovating because they knew they were going out of buisness anyway... This is awesome.. I can't wait to buy one... this truly is a whole new innitative for the companny... good job tivo...

that's right, this announcement is so boring that it's not even worth a response... i will ignore it...

[garfong @ Mar 2nd 2006 5:49PM]

Yah....Tivo needs to get bought out. The sooner the better.

[c.Lake @ Mar 2nd 2006 8:13PM]

Weak.

[Surpl @ Mar 6th 2006 5:48AM]

Yay! More people to control what is watched on TV!

Hey, when I was growing up, I was allowed to watch just about anytihng on TV short of Bevis and Butt-Head, and I watched that anyway. I'm not screwed up, smoking crack, and sleeping with strangers... Why? Cause as much as I can't stand my mother, I can at least give her credit for actually attempting to PARENT, unlike many people these days.
If you're kid's "good morals" can be screwed over by an hour of TV, something seriously isn't right!