Tivo to Let Subscribers Choose Ads
By Nino Marchetti
November 28, 2005
New offering, available in Spring 2006, will let Tivo users opt-in to select categorized ads to be delivered to their DVRs.
DVR pioneer Tivo today announced plans to offer their subscribers the first ever television-based advertising search solution in Spring 2006. The offering will deliver what the company calls "relevant, targeted advertising" to subscribers that want to view particular categories.
Categories of interest, which will include automotive, travel, telecommunications and consumer packaged goods, will be delivered as ads to consumers who can conduct a search for a product by category or associated with keywords. These searches will utilize the same keyword search techniques offered in Internet advertising.
Tivo added that "the new offering is intended to provide will deliver non-intrusive, relevant, interactive advertising, on a opt-in basis. TiVo subscribers, if they choose to use the search capability, will retain control over their viewing experience through the creation of a viewer contributed profile via the set-top box that will enable them to receive advertisements based on their interests."
"TiVo is once again introducing to the TV landscape a new and innovative advertising solution that is intended to deliver an even better viewing experience for subscribers," said Tom Rogers, President and CEO of TiVo, in a statement.