Hybrid Television Services
| Proprietary limited company | |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
Key people | Robbee Minicola, CEO, James Warburton (SMG), Chairman, Bruce McWilliam (SMG): Director, Rodney Parker (TVNZ): Director, Rick Ellis (TVNZ): Director |
| Products | TiVo |
Number of employees |
30+ industry = Media |
| Website | http://www.mytivo.com.au http://www.mytivo.co.nz |
Hybrid Television Services (ANZ) Pty Limited (Hybrid TV) is the exclusive licensee of TiVo products in Australia and New Zealand. Hybrid TV is owned by New Zealand broadcaster TVNZ (33%)[1] and Australian Seven Media Group (67%).
The TiVo media device was launched in Australia in late July 2008. For twelve months running the device has been the number one selling HD-DVR in the category (GfK data). When the device was first launched its capabilities were primarily DVR functionality. Today the TiVo media device has free games (e.g. Sudoku) and services (e.g. horoscopes, weather, world clock) as well as new release movies on-demand delivered via the broadband connection. On-demand movies were launched in April 2009.
In March 2009 the company began announcing partnerships with various internet service providers in an effort to provide unmetered downloads to customers. As the electronic program guide (EPG), software updates and broadband content and services rely on the broadband connection in the home - it was vital Hybrid TV created partnerships with ISPs. The first unmetered partner was Internode, following Internode was iPrimus and Adam Internet.
Hybrid TV announced they would be launching in New Zealand in November 2009. Hybrid TV has established a local ISP partner in Telecom NZ for New Zealand. To date over 15,000 New Zealanders have registered their interest in the TiVo media device.[2]
During the three or so years prior to September 2014, promotion and sales of TiVo hardware in Australia declined to the point where most retailers discontinued selling TiVo. This was apparently due to a lack of interest from the 7 Network, Hybrid Television Services' dominant owner. 7 Network confirmed its withdrawal from the TiVo fold in September 2014 at about the same time as it combined with all of its free-to-air TV competitors in Australia to launch FreeView Plus, a hybrid TV service that is currently in its infancy and apparently doomed by poor promotion, equipment unavailability and technology choices aimed at ensuring viewers cannot skip advertising breaks. FreeviewPlus-branded equipment is not permitted to carry ad-skipping features.[3]
References
- ↑ "TVNZ brings TiVo to the nation". Television New Zealand. 26 March 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
- ↑ http://www.sevencorporate.com.au/_uploads/Files/TVNZ%20acquires%20stake%20in%20Hybrid%20Television%20Services;%20TiVo%20to%20launch%20in%20New%20Zealand.pdf
- ↑ http://www.applianceretailer.com.au/2014/09/regrets-channel-seven-washes-hands-tivo-australia/#.VL3I2mIaySM