Tivo

Q1. Because TiVo and ReplayTV are shifting the power over viewing behavior from the broadcaster to the viewer, should broadcasters develop their own TiVo-like systems?

Ans. Broadcasters don’t have to develop their own TiVo-like systems, however, TiVo and other similar systems should support broadcasters by giving them some power or help. This could happen by, for example, helping broadcasters to show different ads to different viewers, according to their interests.

Q2. Should broadcasters try to block the sales of such devices legally on the grounds they contribute to copyright infringement? Or should they develop business models centered on viewers paying for content? In your answer, be sure to describe the threats and opportunities that the new recording devices and services represent for the TV networks and advertisers.

Ans. If we had to choose between the two options given, we’d rather say that broadcasters should develop business models centered on viewers paying for content. Nowadays almost every house has content paid channels, and people watch these channels more often than the free channels because of the better shows and movies these paid channels show. So if one of the free channels start showing better shows and movies and let viewers pay, there will be more loyal viewers to this channel, and so it is a good opportunity for advertisers. If these viewers are using TiVo and usually skip commercials, advertisers should start being very creative with their ads by, for example, having very bright and fluorescent

colors which will attract viewers even when forwarding the ad.

Threats: ppl might skip ads/ ppl might not pay for such channels/ if the number of ads decreased, program quality will go down.

Opport: ppl will have ads recorded for later reference/