Audio Video News

TiVo officially announced revised, "simplified" pricing plans that will go into effect for new subscribers to the TiVo service beginning the week of March 13. Previously, TiVo subscribers paid for a TiVo box and the TiVo service separately. Under the new plan, new customers will be able to "bundle" the purchase of a TiVo 80-hour Series2 box and the service together for a price based on a one-, two-, or three-year service commitment.

Pricing for the three box-with-service bundles are:

• $19.95/month (or $224 prepaid) for the TiVo box with a one-year service commitment
• $18.95/month (or $369 prepaid) for the TiVo box with a two-year service commitment
• $16.95/month (or $469 prepaid) for the TiVo box with a three-year service commitment

An early cancellation fee will apply for those who stop the service before the end of their chosen commitment period. Subscribers who prepaid for their service subscription will not receive a refund. (So, what the heck, you might as well keep using it until the bitter end, right?)

TiVo says the new pricing plans came about as a result of market research showing that people preferred bundling over paying for the box initially and then shelling out separate (albeit lower) monthly programming charges.

As of March 11, TiVo's web site was still offering a $150 "instant savings" on the price of an 80-hour Series2 box when a 12-month subscription of TiVo service was pre-purchased for $155.40 along with the box. Service must be activated by March 31. Numerous retailers were offering a $150 TiVo rebate on Series2 boxes purchased from them. A 12-month service pre-purchase from TiVo is also required to qualify for the rebate. The soon-to-be-replaced pricing for TiVo's service is $12.95/month or $299 for a "one-time product lifetime fee".

Although details were sketchy, TiVo announced that it will update its service-only options for customers who purchase boxes from retail/on-line stores. These customers will be able to pre-pay for one-, two-, or three-years of service, but the "product lifetime service" option will be eliminated.

TiVo says none of the announced pricing changes will affect current subscribers.

In a separate announcement, TiVo unveiled an agreement with Verizon Wireless to debut TiVo Mobile, a downloadable application that lets TiVo subscribers schedule recordings on their TiVo box directly from any Get It Now-equipped Verizon Wireless mobile phone. This service will be quite handy for those subscribers who, while suffering through a long-winded sermon or endless PowerPoint presentation, suddenly remember they forgot to schedule their TiVos to record "That's So Raven".

The new TiVo Mobile application will be available exclusively to Verizon Wireless users starting in the summer of 2006.