Interesting News Dave Hasn’t Covered

Never enough time… Time Warner Cable, Raleigh refuses to provide CableCARD for TiVo? (TiVo Blog) Amazon to launch movie download service next month? (Hacking Netflix) TiVo takes on Nielsen in providing granular advertising info. (TiVo Lovers) Motorola acquires video-on-demand company Broadbus Technologies. (Boston Globe) AM radio is still kicking. (LA Times)

TiVo Hosts Sprite’s “subLYMONal” Advertising

Press Release: TiVo Showcases Increase Consumer Interaction and Help Advertisers Reach Fast- Forwarding Viewers

Sprite, America’s #1 lemon-lime soft drink and TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO), the creator of and a leader in advertising solutions and television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), today announced a partnership that will feature a cutting-edge interactive advertisement on a TiVo Showcase. Beginning July 24th and running for two weeks, the Showcase will feature a part of Sprite’s “subLYMONal” campaign. This is Sprite’s first interactive advertising run on the TiVo platform.

The TiVo Showcase allows brand marketers to better engage consumers in a deeper, more involved dialogue through long form entertainment content. Sprite’s “subLYMONal” ads will have a “Gold Star Sponsorship” on TiVo Central. Viewers can follow a link to a Showcase where they can view Sprite ads and then, using TiVo’s Trick Play features, find out how to use Sprite “subLYMONal Codes.” TiVo also displays “interactive tags” in Sprite’s advertising as it appears on TiVo DVRs, allowing viewers to pause television and click-through to Sprite’s TiVo Showcase to view more Sprite content, without missing even a second of the TV show they were watching.

“TiVo has the only interactive advertising solution dedicated to DVR viewing and we are excited to add Sprite to our growing list of interactive advertising partners,” said Davina Kent, Vice President, National Advertising Sales at TiVo. “Providing the only platform for DVR-ready creative, TiVo is helping advertisers overcome commercial fast-forwards with unique and exciting advertisements that allow them to further connect with their target audience through the television and increase the overall awareness of the brand.”

“SubLYMONal” advertisements will feature special codes embedded in the content and only revealed if viewed in slow motion that can be entered at the brand’s new website, www.subLYMONal.com. The site allows people to interact with the advertising and provides different ways for consumers to create their own “subLYMONal” experiences.

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Interesting News Dave Hasn’t Covered

Never enough time… Five-second ads try to counter TiVo. (USA Today) Hi-Def codec face-off: WMV-HD vs. DivX-HD. (eHomeUpgrade) Vista Media Center features won’t require NTSC tuner. (jkOnTheRun) Real Rhapsody on Squeezebox. (Engadget)

TiVo, Advertising, and The Mercury News

As you probably suspect, I’ve been somewhat ambivalent of TiVo’s expanded/additional in-DVR advertising initiatives. While I support their desire to increase revenue and reach profitability, as a paying subscriber I am leery of ads negatively impacting my DVR experience. Additionally, I have (unfounded?) fears that easy advertising dollars could discourage TiVo from pursuing my VOD/PPV … Read more

Interesting News Dave Hasn’t Covered

Never enough time… in Canada! Newly manufactured 25″+ TVs must contain ATSC digital tuners starting today. (HD Beat) Ready for TV pop-up advertising? (Tampa Tribune) Catch the Shuttle launch in HD today. (HDNet) Toshiba still wants unified DVD format. (eWeek) MobiTV now available for Windows Mobile 5.0. (Engadget Mobile)

Introducing… The Slingmobile

Sling Media is sponsoring the NASCAR Dodge/Safe Mart 350 this weekend and they brought along a spiffy truck. The tags read I SLING. TiVo’s Mini Cooper probably gets better gas mileage, but wouldn’t stand a chance head on.

Interesting News Dave Hasn’t Covered

Never enough time… Motorola and Cox begin OCAP trials. (Motorola) TiVo expands interactive advertising with BMW. (TiVo) Sling Media CEO Blake Krikorian makes “50 Who Matter Now” list. (Business 2.0) SageTV releases wireless media extender.  (SageTV) NVIDIA SD dual tuner PC card reviewed. (PVRWire)

Thousands Of Free TiVos For Father’s Day

In honor of Father’s Day (and publicity), TiVo has partnered with Minor League Baseball and will be giving away up to 1,000 S2 units (via voucher) per market. Agree to a year of service, get a single tuner TiVo free. Add 30 bucks and upgrade to a dual-tuning model. Additional promotions (TiVo raffles) seem to … Read more