YouTube and TiVo: Increasing Access to Content

I knew it was coming, but I finally received my 9.4 software update. The update includes a couple of UI improvements, but TiVo’s (TIVO) support for YouTube (owned by Google (GOOG)) is what I’ve been drooling over. The way it’s currently set up, you need to hit a lot of buttons to get at your favorite content, but thankfully, TiVo has said that that it is working on a way to sync it with your personal YouTube account.

One of the complaints that I often read about YouTube is that it’s just a bunch a cat videos. While it is true that the feline community has found their special crazy place on the site, I feel that this statement does an injustice to all of the hard working innovative filmmakers who are pushing the boundaries of the web. Don’t get me wrong there is a ton of junk on YouTube, but there are also some really talented people who are redefining the relationship between an artist and their audience.

The beauty of YouTube is that it provides a platform where all kinds of niche communities can develop. Cat videos may not be important to you, but to some people they are more compelling than anything on Prime time TV. The challenge is matching the niche demand with the niche producers.

When I was growing up, I only had access to three TV channels. Cable eventually gave me 100 channels to choose from, but even then there was nothing ever on. When TiVo came out it completely changed how I thought about “channels” and shifted the equation from 100 programs to choose from to tens of thousands. Now, by adding YouTube support, TiVo is once again exponentially increasing my access to content. Filtering through the noise will be a challenge, but this partnership will help personalize your television to an even greater level.

 

Comments

[JachNightingale]

I agree.

[T Muller]

Should have gotten an AppleTV. It syncs with YouTube account. I love it. YouTube rocks, endless amounts of entertainment on there. I thought YouTube had been on TiVo forever, guess I was mistaken.