TiVo's Next-Gen Platform aims to help cable TV providers stream to Apple TV, iPhone, iPad
TiVo has revealed a plan to make it as easy as possible for viewers to watch the programming they want, with the announced "Next-Gen Platform" claimed to help provide cable and streaming service providers device and operating system-agnostic methods for content distribution, including to the Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad.
The Next-Gen Platform is described as a framework that can manage and deliver content to subscribers of a cable TV or Internet TV service on the company's behalf, with the platform handling all tasks relating to making that content viewable on whatever hardware the customer wants to use. According to TiVo, this can include managed set-top boxes running on Linux and Android TV, as well as unmanaged devices like the Apple TV, via mobile apps, and viewing through a browser.
Customers of services electing to use the new platform will apparently benefit from TiVo's existing software and services, including personalized recommendations based on viewing habits, voice control in certain apps and hardware configurations, and more freedom about how they consume their content.
It also promises to help service providers capitalize on "new monetization opportunities" that may not have been previously accessible for the firms.
As part of the platform, the TiVo for Streamers element aims to help operators bring their services to unmanaged streaming devices, including the Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Android TV, typically via an app made for the platform. The TiVo for Mobile segment will also operate through a custom app, which can be made to work as a standalone cloud-enabled IPTV service, as well as offering extra features when used with a set-top box.
For managed devices, such as cable set-top boxes, it has launched TiVo for Android TV and TiVo for Linux STBs, software that adds the personalization, conversational voice commands, and other elements to existing hardware. The software also enables the "seamless integration of content" across linear, over-the-top (OTT), DVR, and on-demand services like Netflix, and lets it work alongside other devices for multi-screen functionality.
Running on a cloud-based architecture that offers "rapid agility for faster time to market and scalability," the Next-Gen platform will also help cable providers make the transition to IPTV from the digital television standard QAM, with it able to operate in a hybrid capacity that operates using both technologies during migration.
For cable companies, TiVo's Next-Gen Platform may be seen as a way to keep up with pure Internet TV providers, to stem subscriber losses from customers electing to "cut the cord." Offering a way to provide their service via an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV alongside other devices may give potential cord cutters a reason to stay with their existing subscription.
It isn't just Internet TV services that cable TV providers have to worry about, as on-demand services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video continue to produce original and exclusive content that have the capability of pulling customers away. Apple is also part of this second group, with multiple reports indicating it too is expanding its original content strategy to draw more users to its Apple Music subscription.
The Next-Gen Platform is described as a framework that can manage and deliver content to subscribers of a cable TV or Internet TV service on the company's behalf, with the platform handling all tasks relating to making that content viewable on whatever hardware the customer wants to use. According to TiVo, this can include managed set-top boxes running on Linux and Android TV, as well as unmanaged devices like the Apple TV, via mobile apps, and viewing through a browser.
Customers of services electing to use the new platform will apparently benefit from TiVo's existing software and services, including personalized recommendations based on viewing habits, voice control in certain apps and hardware configurations, and more freedom about how they consume their content.
It also promises to help service providers capitalize on "new monetization opportunities" that may not have been previously accessible for the firms.
As part of the platform, the TiVo for Streamers element aims to help operators bring their services to unmanaged streaming devices, including the Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Android TV, typically via an app made for the platform. The TiVo for Mobile segment will also operate through a custom app, which can be made to work as a standalone cloud-enabled IPTV service, as well as offering extra features when used with a set-top box.
For managed devices, such as cable set-top boxes, it has launched TiVo for Android TV and TiVo for Linux STBs, software that adds the personalization, conversational voice commands, and other elements to existing hardware. The software also enables the "seamless integration of content" across linear, over-the-top (OTT), DVR, and on-demand services like Netflix, and lets it work alongside other devices for multi-screen functionality.
Running on a cloud-based architecture that offers "rapid agility for faster time to market and scalability," the Next-Gen platform will also help cable providers make the transition to IPTV from the digital television standard QAM, with it able to operate in a hybrid capacity that operates using both technologies during migration.
For cable companies, TiVo's Next-Gen Platform may be seen as a way to keep up with pure Internet TV providers, to stem subscriber losses from customers electing to "cut the cord." Offering a way to provide their service via an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV alongside other devices may give potential cord cutters a reason to stay with their existing subscription.
It isn't just Internet TV services that cable TV providers have to worry about, as on-demand services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video continue to produce original and exclusive content that have the capability of pulling customers away. Apple is also part of this second group, with multiple reports indicating it too is expanding its original content strategy to draw more users to its Apple Music subscription.
Comments
But I'm a TiVo user from way back, currently using a single Bolt with two satellites (Minis). I'm mad at my cable provider for dropping Starz recently (or, more precisely, my wife is a big Outlander fan, so I'm mad that now we're going to have to either get Hulu or subscribe to Starz independently).
If this new TiVo development allows cable providers to use a more à la carte approach then that would be great. Starz can charge whatever they want and I can decide if it's worth adding them to my lineup. I really don't need my cable company to decide that for me.
Indeed, I'm snowed in today so I think I will do the math on cutting the cord. Will report back in this thread on my results if I get through it without too much chagrin.
I think one of the next things you'll see baked into these systems will be means to prohibit credential sharing.
However, competition is good. More choice and delivery options enabled by technological innovation makes for competition. The core issue of course, is that many people do not have choices.
The people I know with cable tv spend well over 100 bucks. If you try to replace all that garbage with ala cart sure it will add up. But for those who realized they don’t need a hundred channels of shit to choose from and prefer netflix and seasonal HBO, and the occasional season pass, we save. Going on 15 years of cord cutting savings here.
I am also fortunate to be able to get a plethora of HDTV OTA channels. That plus the options you recite gets me all I need or want, at much less cost that paying form the crap that is delivered from a cable TV provider. Riddence.
My other choices for internet access are:
A couple of local/regional wireless providers that are VERY slow and even more expensive than Suddenlink.
Satellite, such as Excede or HughesNet, which are slow, limited, and expensive.
Dial-up. That was a waste of time to even type.
Cellular-based Wi-Fi hot spot. Can you imagine how expensive this would get to use 250+ GB per month?
So, I'm paying as little as I possibly can for internet that meets my needs without "overpaying".
When I first moved in five years ago, I had internet, cable TV, and two TiVo boxes that I paid just over $110/mo. for. Five years later, I'm paying almost that much for internet alone. Adding cable TV and a couple of TiVo boxes back in would push that close to $200/mo.
I have "300/35" Mbps, that's the minimum tier I need to do my job, so it's a moot question -- I can't function with cheaper, I've tried. The next step up is "400/40" for $20 more, nice but probably not necessary.
Here's what I currently pay monthly:
= TOTAL $220
NO CABLE I [Playstation Vue]
= TOTAL $173
NO CABLE II [Hulu with Live TV]
= TOTAL $150
NO CABLE III [Sling TV]
= TOTAL $173
The savings is enough that we will probably do this, and soon. If Apple and/or TiVo catch up, then we will change.
Interesting how, for our needs, Playstation Vue and Sling TV come out exactly the same. Hulu seems to offer the best value going forward, but beIN Sports is a plus, as my aforementioned wife is a La Liga fan, so I think maybe Sling TV is slightly ahead at this point.
I should probably have looked into Amazon, but didn't.
EDIT: I suppose the next thing is to try to learn which of these functions the best -- has the least problems, most useful features, best UI, and so on. Since the price is not that different for mostly the same content, that's really the difference-maker...
The biggest single loss of function will be the loss of our high-capacity TiVo DVR -- I have things that have been sitting on there for a very long time, for various reasons -- in looking at competing services, how they handle cloud-based DVR (if at all) is important.
Another factor in the cost savings has been mentioned by others above, the ability to use, say, HBO or Showtime or Hulu "seasonally" -- shut them down for part of the year while waiting for desired original content. So that would argue for keeping them separate via iTunes and Apple TV, rather than tying them to an internet TV package. I think eventually this practice will lead to HBO et al. offering discounts if you buy an annual subscription rather than monthly, but so far, to my knowledge, that hasn't happened.
iTunes sells "season passes" for TV shows, but they seem awfully expensive. $25 or so. If you could serially rent episodes for like $5 for a season, it might be tenable. Maybe.
I'd also be interested in live streaming sports on a game by game basis. I might spring for a $.99 single NHL or NFL game. Not gonna happen though. Unless, of course, someone gets the ability to deliver that...and customize the commercial content the leagues build into their TV time outs.