Sky+ is the UK’s leading PVR (personal video recorder) and is enjoyed by well over half Sky’s digital TV customer base, but TiVo is set to offer an attractive alternative.
PVR’s like Sky+ transform digital TV viewing as they allow customers to pause and record live TV with the touch a single button. As a result, viewers can select the programmes they like from the schedule and watch them at a time that suits them.
This sort of on-demand viewing is in keeping with broader trends of digital TV consumption where “viewer control” is key. BBCiPlayer and other catch-up TV services also allow viewers to watch large libraries of content on-demand.
TiVo launched the first PVR in the UK market in the 2000, but the PVR was withdrawn in 2003 , after Sky+ really took off.
But now TiVo is launching a next generation PVR which combines conventional PVR recording functionality and the ability to access on-demand content libraries, via a broadband connection.
TiVo launched the new TiVo Premiere box in the US last week. According to TiVo chief executive Tom Rogers, it will “heavily inspire the development work” going into a new PVR that TiVo is building with Virgin Media for the UK market, to launch before Christmas.
Virgin Media has 3.8 million digital TV customers who can get the new box. It will look more like a PC interface, with a home page allowing viewers to search for programming from the web and conventional digital TV channels.
It will also have a recommendation tool which suggests programming similar to that already selected – this has been a big hit in the US. In addition the “wish list” function gives an alert when a show is available that is on the customers unique wish list.
If you would like advice to compare digital TV deals and more information on PVRs currently available in the UK, why not speak to our impartial digital TV experts on 0800 466 1047.