The TiVo box, once a pioneer in the early 2000s time-shifting television revolution, has officially ceased operations. The company informed Variety that it exited the hardware market on October 1, halting the sale of its physical DVR units. This means that all TiVo hardware and accessories, previously sold online and through various agents, are no longer available for purchase.
“TiVo no longer produces hardware, and our existing inventory has been exhausted; however, we will continue to provide support for these products in the future,” the company stated to Variety. “We take pride in the TiVo DVR legacy, and the exceptional experience TiVo has always delivered continues in our TiVo OS for Connected Televisions, which is accessible on TVs from Sharp in the US and several brands in Europe.”
For users who invested in “lifetime plans” for the service, the announcement that TiVo will maintain support for these obsolete devices is likely a comforting thought.
The latest digital video recorder from TiVo, named the “TiVo Edge,” was launched in October 2019. This device featured 4K Dolby Vision HDR playback capabilities and Dolby Atmos sound, enabling users to record live television and access a variety of streaming applications. Different versions catered to cable users with six tuners and a 2TB hard drive, and cord cutters with four tuners and a 2TB hard drive.
The TiVo Edge marked the seventh generation of TiVo DVRs, produced by Arris, following the original Series 1 TiVo, which debuted in March 1999 and was manufactured by Philips.
TV executives initially expressed concerns about the commercial-skipping features of the emerging TiVo technology. “We’re in trouble, and we shouldn’t overlook the reality that it’s right around the corner,” then-Fox Entertainment President Gail Berman remarked during a 2003 Hollywood Radio & TV Society luncheon regarding the potential threat posed by DVRs. “This industry is set for change, and it’s our responsibility to devise a new approach.”
Over time, networks adapted to TiVo and other competing DVRs, recognizing that these devices actually contributed to increased viewership of regular series. The Television Academy honored TiVo with an Interactive TV Emmy in 2006 for their ability to “seamlessly connect consumers to the digital entertainment they desire, where and when they want it.”
However, as cable companies began integrating DVRs into their set-top boxes, TiVo faced challenges in promoting its devices to consumers. The company shifted its focus toward licensing TiVo-branded software and technology to cable providers and other third-party manufacturers. The rise of streaming also transformed viewer habits as audiences increasingly sought cloud-based on-demand services over the traditional recording and storage of content.
The departure of the TiVo Edge had been anticipated, as TiVo had already stopped selling the antenna (“cord cutter”) version on its website in February 2024. Users noted that subsequent devices, including the TiVo Mini LUX and the TiVo Stream 4K, saw similar fates, culminating in the discontinuation of sales for the TiVo Edge DVR for cable at the end of September.
Cord Cutters News was the first to report last week that TiVo’s official site had removed mentions of its hardware DVR products, including the TiVo Edge. The report highlighted how the streaming landscape has shifted consumer preferences, while cable companies have concentrated on proprietary cloud DVR options. Furthermore, “regulatory changes, including the discontinuation of support for CableCARD technology—essential for TiVo’s compatibility with cable—have squeezed the viability of consumer hardware even more.”
Currently, TiVo’s website directs users to two offerings: a proposal for smart TVs utilizing TiVo technology and another for its DTS AutoStage video service for vehicles.
