Skip to main content

TiVo experiments with offering DVRs on two-year contract

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

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
This JBL waterproof Bluetooth speaker is 43% off right now
JBL Xtreme 2 on a beach.

Bring the party with you wherever you go with a portable Bluetooth speaker like the JBL Xtreme 2, which is currently on sale from Best Buy at 43% off. From its original price of $350, it's down to a more affordable $200 for savings of $150. We're not sure how much time is remaining for you to take advantage of this offer though, so if you're interested, you're going to have to proceed with the transaction as soon as possible. The bargain may be gone by tomorrow, so complete the purchase today if you can.

Why you should buy the JBL Xtreme 2 Bluetooth speaker
JBL is one of the best speaker brands with portable audio as its calling card, so it's not a surprise that there are multiple JBL devices in our roundup of the best Bluetooth speakers. The JBL Xtreme 2 isn't the latest version in its line -- the JBL Xtreme 4 has already been released -- but it's still a fantastic Bluetooth speaker by today's standards with powerful audio using your mobile device as the source. If you prefer a wired connection over Bluetooth, the JBL Xtreme 2 also offers auxiliary audio input.

Read more
Apple’s AirPods Pro earbuds are back at their cheapest-ever price
Apple AirPods Pro 2 inside their charging case, near iPhone 14.

The second-generation Apple AirPods Pro with USB-C are back down to their cheapest-ever price of $189 on Amazon, for savings of $60 on their sticker price of $249. If you don't own the wireless earbuds yet, or if you're thinking about upgrading from an older model, here's another chance at this discount. However, like with most AirPods deals, we don't think it will last long, so if you want to take advantage of the bargain, you're going to have to proceed with the purchase right away.

Why you should buy the Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C are featured in our list of the best wireless earbuds as the top choice for Apple fans, partly because of how easy it is to pair them with an iPhone or iPad. Just open their charging case, hold it close to your device, and you're done after a few taps. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 also offer solid audio quality with the capability for wireless lossless audio and Apple's immersive Spatial Audio, so you'll enjoy your favorite music even more.

Read more
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are back at their Black Friday price
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in silver.

Here's a highly recommended offer from Crutchfield if you're on the lookout for headphone deals -- the Sony WH-1000XM5 for $328, which is what they were going for during last year's Black Friday. If you weren't able to buy them for this cheap for any reason, here's another chance at the $70 discount on their original price of $398. We're not sure how long stocks will last though, so if you want to buy these wireless headphones for a more affordable price, you're going to have to add them to your cart and check out as soon as possible.

Why you should buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones
There are multiple reasons why the Sony WH-1000XM5 reign supreme in our roundup of the best headphones, but it all begins with its impressive active noise cancellation that allows them to stand out among other wireless headphones. They're very comfortable to wear, so you'll be able to maximize their long battery life of up to 30 hours on a single charge with ANC activated and up to 40 hours without it, and they'll allow you to call up Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant through voice commands.

Read more