Tivo stake
Virgin Media has announced an exclusive partnership with US digital video recorder maker Tivo, to develop what it calls the "UK's most advanced television and broadband offering".
The next generation set-top box is due to make its first appearance next year. It will combine traditional functions like programme guides and recording with Internet access to enable access to the growing number of online on-demand TV services. Virgin Media will also become the exclusive distributor of TiVo services and technology in the UK.
"The superiority of our fibre optic network combined with TiVo's capabilities, will allow us to offer consumers the most significantly advanced and compelling TV service available in the UK, and we believe will do to the TV market what Virgin Media has done to the high speed broadband market," said Neil Berkett, CEO of Virgin Media.
"We are very excited about this new distribution relationship with the UK's most advanced pay television provider and are particularly proud to have been selected as Virgin Media's core software partner for its next generation DVR-enabled set top boxes and its next generation non-DVR set top boxes," said Tom Rogers, president and CEO of TiVo.
Virgin media has also announced the roll-out of "dynamic advertising" on its own on-demand TV platform, encompassing the LIVING, Virgin 1 and Bravo channels. The 30 second pre- and post-roll ads will be tailored to the nature of the programme selected. A bit like normal ads then.
