As we await Chromecast delivery, an interesting TiVo rumor has crossed our desk. Supposedly Series 5 and TiVo Mini hardware will leverage the same sort of technologies (DIAL? via Flingo?) that Google’s Chromecast has implemented. Cast is similar to AirPlay in that a smartphone, tablet, or computer pipes video to a television. However, unlike Apple’s … Read more
While TiVo rarely generates positive cash flow via DVR subscribers, they’re sitting on a healthy war chest via patent litigation victories. So why not drop $20 million cash on New York-based TRA to expand their media research services (and patent portfolio)? From the announcement: TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), a leader in the advanced television entertainment market, today announced that it has … Read more
As fallout over DISH Network’s new Auto Hop commercial skip feature expands, TiVo has injected themselves into the conversation. From the New York Times: TiVo has taken the same approach, promoting ways to serve ads to viewers even as they’re fast-forwarding through them. “We’ve gone from being a black hat to being more of a … Read more
After decades of DVR patent litigation, the court’s most recent decision has forced EchoStar (SATS) and DISH Network into a $500 million settlement with TiVo. Above and beyond the court-sanctioned penalty of $100+ million paid in 2008. As the story goes, TiVo approached DISH way back when to partner and dropped off an early DVR … Read more
After TiVo’s successful, though lengthy and ongoing, DVR patent infringement case against DISH Network & EchoStar, the company set its litigation sights on AT&T (U-Verse) and Verizon (FiOS TV). As AT&T neither manufactures their DVR hardware (Motorola, Microsoft) nor their timeshifting software experience (Microsoft), Microsoft has struck back at TiVo twice (here and here) on their … Read more
Over the last several weeks we’re been hit by a large number of comments originating from DISH Network. While we encourage industry participation and greatly appreciate corporate disclosure, this is a clear case of astroturfing – these drive-by comments largely bad mouth the competition while pumping their own product lineup, versus joining the conversation. My friends at … Read more
Generally speaking, patent litigation bores us. However, we offer up this (abbreviated) story in the name of completeness. Given TiVo’s success in extracting $100 million from Echostar/DISH, they set their patent infringement sights on AT&T and Verizon. As AT&T U-Verse television service is powered by Microsoft’s Mediaroom, MS joined the fray and sued TiVo. Apparently, Softie’s initial … Read more
As I don’t typically track investor relations outreach, I’m not quite sure if this is unprecedented or not. But it does seem noteworthy… TiVo has launched a website summarizing their ongoing patent dispute with EchoStar/DISH Network. And, beyond itemizing their progressive court victories to investors, it appears TiVo’s challenging the judicial system to do the right thing … Read more