Blockbuster, TiVo team up for VOD service

ALVISO, Calif., March 25 (UPI) -- U.S. companies Blockbuster and TiVo are joining forces to deliver Blockbuster's library of digital movie titles directly to television sets via TiVo DVRs.

Blockbuster OnDemand, featuring content to both buy and rent, will be integrated into TiVo Series2, Series3, TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL digital video recorders in the second half of the year, the companies announced Wednesday.

TiVo DVRs will be sold at U.S. Blockbuster stores, as well as online at blockbuster.com, giving both companies new distribution outlets and putting TiVo DVRs and Blockbuster OnDemand front and center of where video shopping takes place.

The companies also said they will implement a cross-marketing campaign.

"We are excited to be teaming with TiVo, the company that created the DVR, to make Blockbuster's entertainment content readily available to their millions of subscribers," Jim Keyes, Blockbuster chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "Ultimately, our vision is to work with TiVo so that their subscribers can access movies not only through our OnDemand service but also from our stores and through our by-mail service as well. Regardless of a film's availability -- through (video on demand) or on DVD -- we want to work with TiVo to provide their subscribers unprecedented access to movie content."

"Joining with Blockbuster further distinguishes TiVo as a true universal solution for content providers, making it a one-stop shop for any content through broadband or linear distribution straight to the TV," added Tom Rogers, president and chief executive officer of TiVo Inc.