network DVR

Cablevision’s Moves May Open Doors for Network DVR

Bernie — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:35:06 -0400

Cablevision’s recent win in appellate court may open the door for network DVR (nDVR). Cablevision executives have publicly stated they intend to move forward and hope to have a product ready by “early next year.” nDVR offers a DVR service to consumers without the need for a device in the home, potentially saving consumers the purchase or rental costs for the equipment. In theory, nDVR service could be offered at lower price points because a service provider’s overall costs would be lower (i.e. fewer truck rolls, etc.). It also may counter the current advantage of multi-room DVR, offered by current telcoTV competitors AT&T and Verizon.

Significant hurdles still remain. The legal battle, championed by Hollywood movie studios may not be over – there is a still a chance this case goes to the Supreme Court. But even if it doesn’t, content providers will have to be on board for this to fly. There will have to be some “fence mending” and buy-in from the content gods, or this product goes nowhere. There are also some technical issues to work out, most notably, understanding and managing the bandwidth implications of such a service. Assuming those issues get resolved and Cablevision moves forward, nDVR could have significant implications on the competitive landscape. Cablevision may lead the way – but it won’t stop with them. Should it prove effective, look for many cable companies to follow.

AT&T Confirms Whole Home DVR

Bernie — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:53:18 -0400

AT&T confirmed a previously reported soft launch of whole home DVR. The service, called Total Home DVR, allows up to eight connected televisions to view recorded DVR content. AT&T joins Verizon FiOS who offers a similar product. Both companies are trying to gain a competitive edge, using multi-room DVR strategies to differentiate themselves over cable and DBS competitors. DVR differentiation will be interesting to watch over the coming months. Cable may try to exploit a networked DVR service, which could help level the playing field with multi-room DVR options. Networked DVR received a new lease on life after a recent court ruling in favor of Cablevision, which tried to launch the service last year, but was sued by several movie studios to stop it.

FiOS Looking to Pre-empt Network DVR?

Bernie — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:28:00 -0400

Verizon announced their latest FiOS promotion which offers free HD DVR or free Home Media DVR service for 12 months. Their Home Media DVR is a multi-room DVR service and allows the viewing of recorded programs on up to six televisions throughout the home. Multi-room features are increasingly becoming a competitive differentiator among telco and cable competitors. Verizon’s new promotion is coming on the heels of Cablevision winning a network DVR court case that conceivably will allow them to offer a network DVR product. Network DVR allows service providers to offer DVR services without the need for a DVR capable set top box in the home, resulting in a potentially lower cost DVR service. Time Warner is also eyeing a network DVR product as a result of the court win. Is Verizon’s move a pre-emptive strike against network DVR? Perhaps. There are certainly other considerations for the promo, but it sure doesn’t hurt to have it in your back pocket when/if your cable competitors roll out a network DVR product. The promotion runs through October 4th.

One Big Happy Family

Bernie — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 09:55:27 -0400

Looks like we all can get along when we need to. Cablevision has gained some friends in their networked DVR court battle –namely USTA. Cablevision and Verizon, a key member of USTA, are in a fierce competitive battle for triple play subscribers in Cablevision’s home turf of New York . But that didn’t stop USTA from filing an Amicus brief in support of Cablevision, as they try to fight for the right to offer networked DVR service, also called remote storage DVR. Cablevision is in a nasty legal battle with Hollywood studios and others who went to court to stop them from launching networked DVR for copyright and other intellectual property concerns.

The implication is of course that USTA members want the right to offer the same type service. Indeed, networked DVR is an intriguing service – one that could offer competitive advantage. USTA members realize they will need that tool in their competitive tool belt, just like everyone else.