Best Buy, TiVo Announce Alliance

ALVISO: Best Buy and TiVo are parterning to drive distribution of the DVR brand and to give the retail chain a digital platform in consumers’ homes.

TiVo and Best Buy plan to investigate the development of a user interface for TiVo DVRs purchased at Best Buy, allowing the retailer to market its products and digital content services and offer consumers advice on the digital home experience. The electronics and appliances retail giant will also "substantially increase" the levels of marketing and merchandising of retail TiVo DVR devices, as well as other devices that may feature the TiVo user interface and platform in the future. 

"Best Buy and TiVo together will open up a variety of new ways for consumers to get the most out of their entertainment experience, have more digital content choices, and get on-demand access to Best Buy’s trusted perspective in consumer electronics," said Chris Homeister, the senior VP of entertainment at Best Buy. "We recognize that our ability to get much closer to the customer in their enjoyment of digital services in the home is one of our greatest opportunities. TiVo’s award-winning user interface, and its ongoing, innovation provides a unique combination of factors for Best Buy to further build its digital home presence."

"We could not be more gratified with this important relationship with Best Buy, which is the world’s leader in retail consumer electronics," added Tom Rogers, the president and CEO of TiVo Inc. "We also could not be more gratified by Best Buy’s recognition that TiVo is not simply another consumer electronics offering, but an ongoing service experience that can ultimately deliver on the goal of giving viewers anything they want, whenever they want it through their television sets. By virtue of TiVo having become not only a DVR, but also a media center combined with the only universal cable box that can plug into any cable system in the U.S., Best Buy will have the opportunity to both greatly expand the digital options and features available to its TV customers while also simplifying them at the same time. Moreover, we look forward to Best Buy significantly contributing to the vast array of content that is available through TiVo which can offer innovative ways to market it."