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TiVo Reveals 'Next-Gen Platform' to Combine Cable and Streaming Content Across Multiple Devices

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TiVo this morning announced a new "Next-Gen Platform" that aims to combine content from cable tv, streaming, DVR, and on-demand all in one place (via Engadget). The enterprise announcement is aimed at operators who might partner with TiVo on the platform, so the official launch of such a service is likely a ways off.

tivo next gen


When it does launch, the Next-Gen Platform will deliver all of a user's content to "managed" set-top boxes powered by Linux and Android TV, as well as "unmanaged" devices like Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. The OS-agnostic approach will let users access shows and movies from both cable providers and streaming services -- Netflix is used specifically in promo images -- on Apple TV, iPhone, MacBook, and more.

This means that TiVo's platform isn't a new cord-cutting service of its own, but something that cable and streaming operators will have to choose to integrate into their existing services for customers to gain access.

TiVo’s Next-Gen Platform allows providers to deliver content to customers where they want to watch it, whether on managed set-top-boxes, such as Linux and Android TV; unmanaged bring-your-own devices, such as Apple TV and Amazon Fire; as well as mobile and web. Our Next-Gen Platform gives operators rapid agility for faster time to market and scalability, while subscribers enjoy a greater level of personalization across content sources and devices.

Specifically, operators will be able to integrate the platform on managed set-top boxes with TiVo for Linux and TiVo for Android TV. The company said this cloud-powered software will offer TiVo's personalized recommendations, voice commands, and the Next-Gen Platform's main hook of integration across other devices for a multi-screen experience.

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The other parts of the platform include TiVo for Streamers and TiVo for Mobile, which will be apps that offer the same features and experience as the set-top boxes, but delivered to Apple TV, Fire TV, iPhone, Android, and more. For the smartphone app, TiVo said that it will be able to "support multiple use cases," from a standalone, cloud-enabled Internet Protocol television (IPTV) app separate from the user's set-top box, as well as a hybrid app that could be more of a companion experience to TiVo's big-screen apps.

TiVo argues that the Next-Gen Platform will "help operators reduce churn, drive customer engagement, stay ahead of the competition and own the customer experience," but at this time no partners have been confirmed to support the future service. With CES starting next week on January 9, more information about TiVo's new platform is expected to be coming soon.

Tag: TiVo

Top Rated Comments

filmantopia Avatar
107 months ago
I can't wrap my head around what this is.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ViDeOmAnCiNi Avatar
107 months ago
I hope it's what I've been wanting for a long time. If I want to see a particular show/series/movie, I do not care which of my services it's on and I don't want to go "log into" that service or sub-service to find/watch it. I want a central location that will bring the media to my screen from whatever services I subscribe to (NF, Hulu, AMZ/Prime, etc) without me having to exit the central location, including streaming sources. It should auto log in to each service in necessary (from creds you provided during set up) and bring the media to the screen. All media access from a central location. That's the dream.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
107 months ago
I hope it's what I've been wanting for a long time. If I want to see a particular show/series/movie, I do not care which of my services it's on and I don't want to go "log into" that service or sub-service to find/watch it. I want a central location that will bring the media to my screen from whatever services I subscribe to (NF, Hulu, AMZ/Prime, etc) without me having to exit the central location, including streaming sources. It should auto log in to each service in necessary (from creds you provided during set up) and bring the media to the screen. All media access from a central location. That's the dream.
So basically an Apple TV?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
107 months ago
Combine those with other annoyances, like the hit-or-miss availability of commercial skipping and the ever-more-frequent guide data errors, and I really can’t think of a reason why I or anyone else should consider any new TiVo box or service.
While I certainly agree it has it's quirks, issues and has tons of room for improvement, the (non-new) Tivo still is currently (to my knowledge anyway) the only box/UI that successfully integrates an old school cable box with the most important OTT products. The interface is still far better than the crappy one I get with Spectrum, and better than the last iteration of DirecTV I had before. Couple that with the ability to easily stream from Hulu, Amazon Prime and Netflix, and you have an interface that does something no one else's currently does.

It's not perfect, but for daily use right now, it's the most seamless environment I've found. I can watch live TV, then jump to Netflix, then jump straight back to something on the DVR, then over to Prime for a movie without changing inputs/sources, etc etc. from a single UI with a single remote.

Instead of trying to create some new BS products, I'd love it if they just focused on improving their core competency. This is a problem with a lot of companies, they end up hiring idiots who have no idea what consumers actually want/need.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
107 months ago
Like PlayOn? The TV App on AppleTV? Plex plus streaming?

Why is Tivo still in business?
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I loved TiVo back in the day, and while I’m sure it has the best interface, it feels like the !ac is the 90s—better UI but an island unto itself which makes for an inferior value proposition.

What’s worrisome about this announcement is two-fold. First, no one has signed up for it;one would think they pre-sold it to a few cable companies or streaming companies. Second, feels they are late to the game. Companies like Comcast want to own the experience and customer relationship, and there are tons of players from Apple to Google to Rome to Amazon playing in this space.

I’m rooting for TiVo, but I suspect this will fail.
This kind of feels like the Atari Jaguar of media solutions.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
toptekjon Avatar
107 months ago
I can't wrap my head around what this is.

I've had and loved Tivo for many years. Whatever this is, it is DOA. No doubt about it.
Makes me sad, but Tivo is more than likely on deathwatch.
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I don't read this as a "BOX" but a branded aggregation platform for streaming content.

This is a service for content publishers. TIVO is trying to provide a central managed location for content providers to peer their subscriptions and content. Allowing transparency between content services.

Let's say you pay $11 a month for HULU.

How about $24 a month for HULU, Netflix and Direct TV Now?

This platform seems like the place where TIVO wants to allow provides to deliver content in a wholesale manner and then allow TIVO to deliver the content to the consumer. A secondary revenue source when people want lots of choices but they are all locked together. Less opportunity to cancel Netflix for HULU depending on show preferences when you have them all combined into a single package.

This of this like the Cable, Phone and Internet packages you pay for today. Once you have phone and Internet on a provider, you are less likely to switch just for Cable, etc.
DOA. I love Tivo, but cable companies are NOT going to cut TiVo into the profit share. Zero chance of this taking off, in my opinion.
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I won’t hold my breath on this actually turning out to be useful. The current Bolt (which I have) claimed to be an “all in one” hub for all your cable and streaming video needs... but I’ve found it’s not particularly good at it. And, if you follow TiVo at all, you’re probably aware that we users haven’t been particularly impressed with their software prowess, especially since the Rovi takeover.

There are a couple really glaring flaws I’ve run into with streaming media and the Bolt:


* Some streaming services are dependent on your cable provider being a partner with TiVo on this. But why should my TiVo care about that? My third-gen Apple TV doesn’t care. If I have a Hulu subscription, I should be able to stream Hulu - end of story. (Hulu is just being used as an example... I can’t remember if it’s one of the problematic services or not)
* Cable “on demand” items show up as available, even if they require an extra fee for watching or an additional subscription for access... even though there’s a setting which purports to prevent that.

Combine those with other annoyances, like the hit-or-miss availability of commercial skipping and the ever-more-frequent guide data errors, and I really can’t think of a reason why I or anyone else should consider any new TiVo box or service.
Although I do love TiVo since they are far better than any cable company DVR, Tivo is STILL updating their UI to HD. Not 4K. Not 8k. They are still getting ready for the HD era. Just depressing.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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