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Scottish Sunday: Business: Business News

TiVo's Ambition to Bring "Time-Shifting Television" System Back to the UK Faces Obstacles

TiVo, the popular "time-shifting television" system, has encountered manufacturing and distribution challenges that have hindered its return to Britain, according to Mike Ramsay, the Scottish co-founder of the Silicon Valley company. Ramsay, who stepped down as CEO last year but remains on the board, revealed to the Scottish Sunday that TiVo is considering embedding its software into Freeview boxes as a way to reenter the UK market. This approach would involve licensing the component to a Freeview box manufacturer/distributor and managing the service aspect internally. However, despite engaging in numerous discussions with potential partners, TiVo has yet to finalize any deals.

Previous Challenges and Sky's Involvement

In the past, TiVo expanded into the UK market but had to withdraw following the burst of the technology bubble, which necessitated significant cost-cutting measures. Additionally, Sky, which had acquired a license from TiVo, decided to employ an alternative technology for its own Sky+ personal video recorder service. Despite these setbacks, Sky continues to assist TiVo in serving its remaining 20,000 customers in the UK. TiVo is renowned for pioneering the digital video recorder, offering users the ability to record and organize their personalized programming schedule, skip advertisements, and pause and rewind live television.

New Heading: Impact of TiVo's Potential Return on the Hotel Industry in the UK

The potential return of TiVo's "time-shifting television" system to the UK could have a significant impact on various industries, including the hotel sector. As hotels continually strive to enhance the guest experience, incorporating innovative in-room entertainment options has become a top priority. TiVo's advanced features and functionality could offer hotels a competitive edge and elevate the overall guest satisfaction.

Improved Television Viewing Experience

By embedding TiVo software into Freeview boxes provided in hotel rooms, guests would gain access to the same time-shifting capabilities commonly available in their own homes. This would enable them to record and watch their preferred shows at their convenience, ensuring they never miss out on their favorite programming during their stay. The ability to skip advertisements and rewind live television would further enhance the viewing experience.

Personalized Programming Schedule

TiVo's software allows users to create personalized programming schedules, tailoring their TV watching to their individual preferences. In the context of hotels, this feature could enable guests to easily navigate through available channels and select content that aligns with their interests. By providing a customizable entertainment experience, hotels can cater to the varied tastes and preferences of their guests.

Enhanced Guest Satisfaction and Loyalty

Delivering an excellent in-room entertainment experience contributes significantly to guest satisfaction and their likelihood of returning to the same hotel in the future. By implementing TiVo's system, hotels can impress guests with its user-friendly interface, extensive features, and the convenience of time-shifting television. This, in turn, may lead to increased guest loyalty and positive reviews, further boosting the hotel's reputation and attracting new potential guests.

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