Did the Comcast TiVo Really Launch This Week?

So did the Comcast (CMCSA) TiVo (TIVO) on Motorola (MOT) hardware publicly launch this week in New England (AP, Bloomberg, Reuters), or is this damage control? The email alert that media outlets received indicated something along the lines of:

TiVo Inc., the pioneer of digital video recorders, introduced its service for Comcast Corp. customers this week following delays. Some Comcast customers already have the service in place, TiVo and Comcast said today in an e-mailed statement. The introduction will continue in New England in the coming months.

Until anyone can call up Comcast in New England and order service and until someone publicizes pricing, I’ll assume this isn’t a widespread launch - rather, it’s more extended testing amongst Comcast “friendlies” as two sources have confided. I’ve got calls into TiVo and as soon as I find out more, you’ll find out more.

UPDATE: I just heard back from TiVo. The official statement from the companies is:

We are pleased to confirm that the first non Comcast employees have the new TiVo service, and that the rollout in the New England region will continue throughout the next few months.

Sure doesn’t sound like the typical Comcast customer will be able to order, does it? Those “non Comcast employees” are most likely friends and family. Oh well… As I said a few days ago, what’s another month or so when you’ve waited this long? However, my advice to those waiting is to just pick up a TiVo HD for $250 at Amazon (AMZN) and rent a CableCARD or two.

Comments

[User 111027:]

The software rollout on Cable MSO boxes, plus a potential win in the patent case vs. Echostar is all that TiVo's got going for it. Their days of selling their own boxes directly to customers are winding down.

Here's a chart of the net new TiVo subscribers by quarter.

tvbythenumbers.com/200.../

2007 Oct 14 11:30 AM

[User 113548:]

I don't believe any non Comcast customer has it. Baloney.

2007 Oct 14 11:54 AM