TiVo and Alticast Announce Agreement

Monday, March 2nd, 2009
TiVo Inc logo

Companies to collaborate on porting of TiVo software to Alticast embedded software; Aim to accelerate deployment of next generation TiVo globally

ALVISO, Calif. and SEOUL, South Korea — TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), and Alticast, the maker of the most deployed MHP and tru2way™ embedded software worldwide, today announced that they have entered into an agreement intended to reduce the time-to-market for pay television operators seeking to harness TiVo’s truly differentiated consumer experience in conjunction with the flexibility of Alticast embedded software.

The Alticast core technology, comprised of the Java-based DVB-MHP, OCAP/tru2way technology and Blu-ray Disc Java, provide a common software foundation enabling hardware independent deployment of an application. This makes it easier for consumer electronics companies to create advanced cable set-top-boxes, including combination set-top-boxes and TV sets or Blu-ray Disc players. The collaboration between Alticast and TiVo shows continued commitment to sophisticated cable-ready products for operators looking to shed hardware costs while providing subscribers with compelling interactive services and user experiences.

“Teaming with Alticast allows global video providers to offer the unique combination of TiVo’s award winning user interface, advertising solutions, and broadband television functionality on set top boxes running Alticast’s industry standard embedded software for ITV applications,” said Joshua Danovitz, Vice President and GM of International at TiVo. “We hear from cable, satellite and IPTV operators around the world that they want better middleware solutions capable of quickly bringing TiVo applications to market and Alticast is in the pole position to fulfill this need. We look forward to their cooperation in making the TiVo experience available on a broad range of platforms, both in the United States and around the world, similar to the way that we have developed platforms for Comcast and Cox.”

“We are eager to work with TiVo to optimize our respective products for the benefit of pay television providers around the world,” said Jeff Bonin, VP and General Manager of Alticast. “For too long, these operators have had to choose between expensive proprietary solutions and generic “me-too” products. Alticast and TiVo will be working toward a solution that enables the best of both worlds. As the gold standard for television interfaces and a leading innovator of services that exploit broadband on the TV, we think the TiVo service is the perfect application to complement our powerful embedded platform.”