TiVo experiments with offering DVRs on two-year contract

By Geoff Duncan September 14, 2010

DVR pioneer TiVo has been working to develop new revenue models and boost the profile of its DVR set-top box solutions in the face of stiff competition from cable and satellite providers that off their own DVRs. (Although TiVo has had some success partnering with other PVR and set-top box makers.) Now TiVo is trying something new: instead of requiring customers to pay up front for a TiVo and then pay monthly fees for TV listings services, they’re offering DVRs on contract: $19.99 a month gets you a TiVo and service…so long as customers are willing to make a two-year commitment.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The offering includes the TiVo Premiere set-top box (introduced this past spring), which enables users to record up to 45 hours of HD programming, and also lets users tap into Netflix (if they’re subscribers), Amazon Video-on-Demand, Blockbuster, YouTube, and (soon) Pandora. Users will get the full range of TiVo features, including the ability to schedule recording from the Web or via their mobile phones, access personal media libraries on home PCs, as well as tap into social networking services like Twitter and Facebook.

The offer makes the TiVo Premiere (normally $299) available for $19.99 per month, so long as customers are willing to commit to a two-year contract. TiVo service itself normally runs $12.95 per month, with one-year and three-year plans offering a discount (and a $399 lifetime plan taking care of all future service fees). Over 24 months, TiVo’s contract offer works out to about $480 (plus taxes and fees); in comparison, buying a TiVo Premiere and paying for month-to-month service would run over $600. To sweeten the deal even more, TiVo is throwing in a complimentary six-month Netflix subscription (equivalent to the low-end $8-per-month option). However, if users cancel before the end of their two-year contract, they’re on the hook for $300 to cover the cost of the TiVo Premiere, less $7 for each month of service used. Once the contract expires, users will automatically be continued at a $20/month rate, which is considerably higher than any of TiVo’s existing service plans. After two years, contract customers might look at switching to a less expensive service plan.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Virtual Reality

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Audio / Video

Best Buy just knocked $300 off this 85-inch Sony 4K TV

Sony - 65 Class X80J Series LED 4K UHD Smart Google TV

You should be ready to spend some serious cash if you're on the hunt for 85-inch TV deals, but there are some relatively affordable options like the 85-inch Sony X80K 4K TV from Best Buy. From its original price of $1,600, a $300 discount brings it down to $1,300, which is within reach for more families who are planning to upgrade their home theater setup with a massive screen. You're going to have to hurry with your purchase if you're interested though, as the bargain may disappear at any moment.

Why you should buy the 85-inch Sony X80K 4K TV
Sony is a mainstay in our list of the best TV brands, and that's partly because of its strong offerings across all budget ranges. The 85-inch Sony X80K 4K TV is an excellent example, as it's a feature-packed TV for its price, considering its size. Its 4K HDR Processor X1 creates smooth and clear picture with 4K Ultra HD resolution, Triluminos Pro enables billions of accurate colors that will make onscreen images very lifelike, and Motionflow XR makes sure that there's no blur during action-packed sequences.

Audio / Video

Crutchfield is having a huge sale on Onkyo home theater receivers

Onkyo TX-NR5100 on a shelf.

Onkyo is one of the most popular brands of home theater receivers, and if you've always wanted to buy one, some models are currently on sale with huge discounts from Crutchfield. You can get savings of up to $580 with every purchase, but you need to hurry in deciding what to buy because these bargains may disappear at any moment. Feel free to browse through Crutchfield's Onkyo home theater receivers sale yourself, just as long as you act fast.

What to buy in Crutchfield's Onkyo home theater receivers sale
The most affordable option in Crutchfield's Onkyo home theater receivers sale is the Onkyo TX-SR3100, which is from $399 for savings of $50. It's a 5.2-channel home theater receiver with Bluetooth and support for Dolby Atmos. You can also get the Onkyo TX-NR5100, a 7.2-channel home theater receiver with Bluetooth, Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, and compatibility with Amazon's Alexa, for instead of $599 following a $100 discount. It's the best mid-range AV model in our roundup of the best AV receivers because it comes with good features for its price, so it's an even better purchase now that you can get it for cheaper than usual.

Audio / Video

Best Amazon TV deals: Cheap TVs under $100

TCL 6-Series Roku TV, 2022 model.

Amazon is a great retailer to turn to if you’re on the hunt for some deals, and this is especially true if you’ve got an eye out for the best TV deals. You can find some impressive savings for your home theater, living room, or basement viewing experience at Amazon right now, as the retail giant has a lot of TVs discounted. Amazon is also a great place to shop for a TV if you’re a Prime member, as it will get you free shipping, which can amount to some decent savings on larger items like TVs. Below we’ve rounded up what we feel are the best Amazon TV deals to check out right now. Among them you’ll find some bargain pricing, TV options by some of the best TV brands, and even big screen 4K TVs.
Insignia 32-inch F20 Series HD Fire TV -- $90, was $130

If you don't mind skipping 4K Ultra HD resolution and a massive screen in favor of a lower price, then you'll want to purchase the 32-inch Insignia F20 Series HD Fire TV. You'll be able to watch your favorite shows on HD resolution, and because the TV supports HDMI ARC, it can send audio directly from its HDMI port to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver to remove the necessity of an extra cable. The HD TV runs on Amazon's Fire TV, which not only supports all of the popular streaming services, but also grants access to the best Alexa skills. The budget TV even comes with an Alexa Voice Remote, so you'll be able to search for content, switch input sources, control playback, and many more using voice commands. It also supports Apple's AirPlay, which will let you easily share videos and photos from an Apple device to the TV's 32-inch screen.