Suddenlink to Deploy TiVo Premiere Set-Top Boxes

Suddenlink Communications and TiVo have entered into a strategic relationship for Suddenlink to distribute co-branded, TiVo Premiere DVRs as well as non-DVR set-top boxes. TiVo Premiere is TiVo’s latest generation set-top box that unifies linear television, DVR functionality, video on demand (VOD), and Internet delivered video into a single experience – all framed in a high definition (HD) user interface based on Adobe Flash technology.

Suddenlink plans to begin deploying the TiVo set-top boxes to its customers later this year, including a multi-room DVR solution developed by TiVo. Suddenlink and TiVo also intend to collaborate on the development of a next generation "whole home" solution for deployment by Suddenlink in 2011.

Jerry Kent, CEO of Suddenlink, said in a statement, "We reviewed a number of alternatives to find the best way to offer a full suite of linear television, VOD, and broadband delivered content to every room in our customers’ homes. We found that TiVo, by way of its best-in-class user experience, its leading consumer feature set, and rapid time to market is a very compelling answer. TiVo will be a significant part of our future plans which will redefine our subscriber proposition with 100 percent digital video including features like remote DVR programming, universal search with cable VOD, and access to interactive applications like YouTube, Pandora, Rhapsody, and Fandango."

Suddenlink expects to launch TiVo DVRs in certain markets in fourth quarter 2010 and will look to significantly expand deployment in 2011.