Foxtel is TiVo’s primary competitor in Australia. While TiVo is sold by Seven Network and is a ‘free to air’ DVR used with broadcast TV, with no subscription fees, Foxtel’s iQ/iQ2 DVRs are used with Foxtel’s pay TV service. It is akin to DirecTV or Dish Network in the US, and beyond the initial acquisition fees there are ongoing monthly fees, which can be quite steep if you want the full range of channels. According to the Herald Sun, Foxtel chief executive Kim Williams took an opportunity to throw some FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) in TiVo’s direction:
[F]or Seven Network, “the horse has bolted”.
“The iQ is the industry standard,” Mr Williams said.
“I see TiVo as a latecomer with little to recommend it.”
Sounds to me like someone is worried, you don’t need to take swipes like this at a competitor if they’re really no threat to your business.
