TiVo And Philips Deliver First Personal Television System
Philips Electronics and TiVo, Inc., the originator of personal television, have announced the availability of the first personal TV system. The Philips Personal TVô Receiver and the TiVo Personal Television service represent a revolution ni television, giving consumers complete control over their viewing experience and allowing them to watch what they want, when they want. Philipsí and TiVoís personal TV system, the companies say, ensures that viewers will never miss a minute of their favorite television shows. Philipsí and TiVoís system enables viewers to easily capture a personalized line-up of television programs that can be accessed instantly at their convenience. The Philips receiver accepts television programming form any source, including satellite, cable and antenna. ""The arrival of Philipsí and TiVoís personal TV system marks an important milestone in the evolution of consumer electronics, and demonstrates Philipsí commitment to expand the potential of television,"" said Rob van Oostenbrugge, CEO of Philips Digital Video Systems. ""By partnering with TiVo, our personal TV system will be a major breakthrough in enabling consumers for the first time to truly control the vast array of television content that is available today, furthering our efforts to dramatically improve our customersí television viewing experiences."" ""Today marks the beginning of a dramatic revolution in the world of television,"" said Michael Ramsay, President and CEO of TiVo. ""Together with Philips, we are delivering on the promise of personal TV, providing consumers with an entertainment innovation that will forever change the way they watch television."" Philipsí and TiVoís Personal Television System gives consumers total control over live television by allowing them to pause and rewind, as well as use TiVoís patented technology to crate slow-motion, frame forward and frame back effects for any show they are watching. The TiVo service also enables viewers to automatically teach TiVo what they enjoy watching through the use of a simple ""thumbs up"" or ""thumbs down"" feature on the Philips remote control, thus building up a personal preference profile. This system simplifies the selection process by searching through more than 100,000 programs that are broadcast each week, uniquely recording favorite shows every time they are broadcast, and making recommendations no other shows of interest. TiVoxís service works with all television programming providers. It also allows subscribtrs to access special programming packages from leading entertainment industry partners, including Showtime, E! Entertainment Television, FLIX, HBO, Style, The Weather Channel, The Movie Channel, and ZDTV. Subscribers will receive TiVoís TiVolution Video Magazine providing daily program recommendations, and entertainment and sports editorial content produced by former broadcast executives from CNN, NBC, HBO, Fox, CBS and Turner. TiVo subscribers will also receive new service updates and features automatically. TiVoís service is delivered 24 hours a day, seven days a week by TiVoís Broadcast Center to the Philips Personal TV receivers. ""We all believe that it is inevitable that consumers will get control over their television programming,"" said Stewart Alsop, Principal of New Enterprise Associates and a member of TiVoís Board of Directors. ""The TiVo and Philips teams have the experience and expertise to lead this exciting category, but they also understand the business of television, which may prove to be even more important."" Philips receivers and TiVo service have been in field trials since December 1998, and consumer feedback on this new television experience reportedly has been overwhelmingly positive. A strategic roll-out of Philips receivers and access to the TiVo service began March 31, 1999. ""The consumer should be at the center of everything we do. Digital technology now allows us to focus no specific consumer needs in an entirely new way,"" said Roel Pieper, Executive Vice President of Philips Electronics. ""This is a concept we call ëcustomer intimacy.í Personal TV allows us to cater to an audience of one. How much closer can you get?"" The Philips Personal TV receivers are available in two configurations: a 14-hour model priced at $4999, and a 30-hour model at $999. TiVo Personal Television Service subscribers have three options: $9.95 per month, $99 per year or $199 for a lifetime subscription. Personal TV receivers will be available in limited quantities initially an widely available this summer at consumer electronics retailers. Consumers can learn more about Philipsí and TiVoís personal TV system and service by calling 877-FOR-TIVO or on the Web at www.tivo.com or www.philipsusa.com. For more information, contact Marty Gordon at Philips Electronics 770 821 2236.