Australian success prompts decision to take TiVo into NZ

Peter Dinham
Friday, 27 March 2009 20:27

IT Industry - Deals

TiVo, the creator of television services and advertising solutions for digital video recorders, is to launch its TiVo service in New Zealand later this year.
 

Through an agreement with Seven Media Group in Australia, Television New Zealand (TVNZ), New Zealand's largest free-to-air and national broadcaster, has taken a 33% ownership stake in Hybrid Television Services, the Seven subsidiary that has TiVo rights in Australia and New Zealand.
 
In its announcement released in the last few days, TiVo says that TVNZ’s investment will support the launch of the TiVo service to customers throughout New Zealand - the second DVB-T standard country to begin offering the TiVo service.
 
James Warburton, Chief Sales and Digital Officer for Seven Media Group, said that, similar to the TiVo service available in Australia, digital Freeview channels in New Zealand would be available on broadband connected TiVo DVRs.
 
“Viewers will have access to the Emmy award-winning TiVo user interface, which includes internationally recognised TiVo features like SeasonPass Recordings, WishList Searches and the ability to pause, rewind, fast forward, instant replay, and slow motion live and recorded TV shows.”

In addition to being the largest broadcaster in New Zealand, TVNZ operates an online “catchup TV” service known as TVNZ on demand, where viewers can access a host of popular programs via the Internet, and, like Seven Network, TVNZ is a member of its local Freeview consortium.
  
Tom Rogers, president and CEO of TiVo, said that TiVo’s ongoing efforts to expand its global footprint through strategic alliances with international broadcasters and cable companies was taking another step forward with the move into New Zealand.
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