Comments on: Speculation on the Google-Motorola Deal and TiVo http://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/ TiVo, Slingbox, Android, Blu-ray Disc, and whatever other tech I feel like blogging about... Fri, 18 Sep 2020 20:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: MegaZonehttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-27838 MegaZone Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:21:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=4425#comment-27838 I've seen them suggested before, but I discount the possibility of Virgin Media buying TiVo.  Buying TiVo wouldn't give VM any value from TiVo's HW business - they use Cisco boxes.  They already seem to have extensive influence, if not control, over the evolution of the TiVo software as a premium partner - if you're getting the milk for free, why buy the cow?  With TiVo's Flash-based app environment it seems VM can already add their own apps to their boxes without going through TiVo.I just don't think TiVo is worth buying just to gain more control over their software.  Definitely not for Virgin Media, they're not in the hardware or retail business.  Another part of the Virgin empire, maybe, but even then I'm not really seeing the value to them in owning TiVo.  If & when TiVo manages to sustain a profit, then that's a reason to own them.But Virgin Media seems to be getting everything they need to be successful already, without the massive expense of an acquisition and the headaches of running a multinational hardware vendor. I’ve seen them suggested before, but I discount the possibility of Virgin Media buying TiVo.  Buying TiVo wouldn’t give VM any value from TiVo’s HW business – they use Cisco boxes.  They already seem to have extensive influence, if not control, over the evolution of the TiVo software as a premium partner – if you’re getting the milk for free, why buy the cow?  With TiVo’s Flash-based app environment it seems VM can already add their own apps to their boxes without going through TiVo.

I just don’t think TiVo is worth buying just to gain more control over their software.  Definitely not for Virgin Media, they’re not in the hardware or retail business.  Another part of the Virgin empire, maybe, but even then I’m not really seeing the value to them in owning TiVo.  If & when TiVo manages to sustain a profit, then that’s a reason to own them.

But Virgin Media seems to be getting everything they need to be successful already, without the massive expense of an acquisition and the headaches of running a multinational hardware vendor.

]]> By: MegaZonehttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-27837 MegaZone Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:16:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=4425#comment-27837 I don't think that'll really be an issue.  Motorola controls something like 63% of the STB market in the US, and it is an expensive proposition to switch to a new vendor.  New stock, testing, training, possible changes to the head end, etc.And Google isn't a competitor, yet anyway.  The only video service they really have is YouTube, and some MSOs already offer that on their STBs.  They're only just dipping a toe into broadband.  And Google voice really doesn't compete with phone service - it rides on top of existing services for most users.I think MSOs are more likely to embrace Google than shun them.  Especially if shunning Google might spur them to go off and become a competitor - if you can join them, beat them. I don’t think that’ll really be an issue.  Motorola controls something like 63% of the STB market in the US, and it is an expensive proposition to switch to a new vendor.  New stock, testing, training, possible changes to the head end, etc.

And Google isn’t a competitor, yet anyway.  The only video service they really have is YouTube, and some MSOs already offer that on their STBs.  They’re only just dipping a toe into broadband.  And Google voice really doesn’t compete with phone service – it rides on top of existing services for most users.

I think MSOs are more likely to embrace Google than shun them.  Especially if shunning Google might spur them to go off and become a competitor – if you can join them, beat them.

]]> By: The Hubhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-27829 The Hub Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:10:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=4425#comment-27829 The other possibility is that this will help TiVo close deals with additional MSOs. They may not feel comfortable buying from Motorola after the acquisition. The other possibility is that this will help TiVo close deals with additional MSOs. They may not feel comfortable buying from Motorola after the acquisition.

]]> By: The Hubhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-27830 The Hub Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:10:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=4425#comment-27830 The other possibility is that this will help TiVo close deals with additional MSOs. They may not feel comfortable buying from Motorola after the acquisition. The other possibility is that this will help TiVo close deals with additional MSOs. They may not feel comfortable buying from Motorola after the acquisition.

]]> By: The Hubhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-27831 The Hub Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:10:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=4425#comment-27831 The other possibility is that this will help TiVo close deals with additional MSOs. They may not feel comfortable buying from Motorola after the acquisition. The other possibility is that this will help TiVo close deals with additional MSOs. They may not feel comfortable buying from Motorola after the acquisition.

]]> By: Matt Hickmanhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-27823 Matt Hickman Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:43:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=4425#comment-27823 I think you may have overlooked another potential suitor, Virgin.  I doubt that MSOs in the US will be scared off by this hypothetical, Virgin appears (from afar, anyway) to be strategically aligned with TiVo.  And I believe it could be a good thing for TiVo customers. I think you may have overlooked another potential suitor, Virgin.  I doubt that MSOs in the US will be scared off by this hypothetical, Virgin appears (from afar, anyway) to be strategically aligned with TiVo.  And I believe it could be a good thing for TiVo customers.

]]> By: Matt Hickmanhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-27824 Matt Hickman Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:43:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=4425#comment-27824 I think you may have overlooked another potential suitor, Virgin.  I doubt that MSOs in the US will be scared off by this hypothetical, Virgin appears (from afar, anyway) to be strategically aligned with TiVo.  And I believe it could be a good thing for TiVo customers. I think you may have overlooked another potential suitor, Virgin.  I doubt that MSOs in the US will be scared off by this hypothetical, Virgin appears (from afar, anyway) to be strategically aligned with TiVo.  And I believe it could be a good thing for TiVo customers.

]]> By: Matt Hickmanhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-27825 Matt Hickman Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:43:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=4425#comment-27825 I think you may have overlooked another potential suitor, Virgin.  I doubt that MSOs in the US will be scared off by this hypothetical, Virgin appears (from afar, anyway) to be strategically aligned with TiVo.  And I believe it could be a good thing for TiVo customers. I think you may have overlooked another potential suitor, Virgin.  I doubt that MSOs in the US will be scared off by this hypothetical, Virgin appears (from afar, anyway) to be strategically aligned with TiVo.  And I believe it could be a good thing for TiVo customers.

]]> By: Matt Hickmanhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-27826 Matt Hickman Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:43:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=4425#comment-27826 I think you may have overlooked another potential suitor, Virgin.  I doubt that MSOs in the US will be scared off by this hypothetical, Virgin appears (from afar, anyway) to be strategically aligned with TiVo.  And I believe it could be a good thing for TiVo customers. I think you may have overlooked another potential suitor, Virgin.  I doubt that MSOs in the US will be scared off by this hypothetical, Virgin appears (from afar, anyway) to be strategically aligned with TiVo.  And I believe it could be a good thing for TiVo customers.

]]> By: Matt Hickmanhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-27827 Matt Hickman Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:43:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=4425#comment-27827 I think you may have overlooked another potential suitor, Virgin.  I doubt that MSOs in the US will be scared off by this hypothetical, Virgin appears (from afar, anyway) to be strategically aligned with TiVo.  And I believe it could be a good thing for TiVo customers. I think you may have overlooked another potential suitor, Virgin.  I doubt that MSOs in the US will be scared off by this hypothetical, Virgin appears (from afar, anyway) to be strategically aligned with TiVo.  And I believe it could be a good thing for TiVo customers.

]]> By: Matt Hickmanhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-27828 Matt Hickman Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:43:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=4425#comment-27828 I think you may have overlooked another potential suitor, Virgin.  I doubt that MSOs in the US will be scared off by this hypothetical, Virgin appears (from afar, anyway) to be strategically aligned with TiVo.  And I believe it could be a good thing for TiVo customers. I think you may have overlooked another potential suitor, Virgin.  I doubt that MSOs in the US will be scared off by this hypothetical, Virgin appears (from afar, anyway) to be strategically aligned with TiVo.  And I believe it could be a good thing for TiVo customers.

]]> By: Tech Wizardhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-27821 Tech Wizard Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:50:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=4425#comment-27821 I think the TiVo software running on Cisco hardware on VMED opened Cisco's eyes to the power of TiVo running on their platform. Cisco is cash rich and could easily afford the TiVo price-tag. Cisco is also entrenched with Time Warner Cable and would help prevent any new litigation on that front.Enjoyed the thorough analysis! I think the TiVo software running on Cisco hardware on VMED opened Cisco’s eyes to the power of TiVo running on their platform. Cisco is cash rich and could easily afford the TiVo price-tag. Cisco is also entrenched with Time Warner Cable and would help prevent any new litigation on that front.

Enjoyed the thorough analysis!

]]> By: Tech Wizardhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/16/speculation-on-the-google-motorola-deal-and-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-27822 Tech Wizard Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:50:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=4425#comment-27822 I think the TiVo software running on Cisco hardware on VMED opened Cisco's eyes to the power of TiVo running on their platform. Cisco is cash rich and could easily afford the TiVo price-tag. Cisco is also entrenched with Time Warner Cable and would help prevent any new litigation on that front.Enjoyed the thorough analysis! I think the TiVo software running on Cisco hardware on VMED opened Cisco’s eyes to the power of TiVo running on their platform. Cisco is cash rich and could easily afford the TiVo price-tag. Cisco is also entrenched with Time Warner Cable and would help prevent any new litigation on that front.

Enjoyed the thorough analysis!

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