CES 2023 is home to a number of amazing TV announcements, but here’s one that just might take the cake: Tivo will return in 2023 as a smart TV platform.
We saw a demonstration of Tivo’s new smart platform during CES this week, and now we have a list of potential new partners that includes JVC and Hitachi.
According to Xperi, owner of the popular TiVo, DTS, and HD Radio brands, as well as IMAX Enhanced, we could start to see some 2K and 4K Tivo TVs available in the spring of 2023 (most likely in April or May).
Interestingly, the US won’t be the only one getting the new Tivo sets, as Xperi has also announced a few global manufacturers like Vestel, Daewoo, Regal, and Telefunken, which are some of the biggest TV producers in Europe.
Do we really need another smart TV platform?
If you’re not old enough to remember the old DVR brand, Tivo was a must-have in the late ’90s and early Aughts for recording shows to watch later. Over the years, Tivo has improved its recording technology to allow you to skip ads in shows and even make recommendations for its latest DVRs.
What that means, hopefully, is that Tivo can bring this wealth of experience in ad-free, on-demand content to budget smart TVs that haven’t usually been so smart in the past.
“By leveraging an independent media platform, we will enable open environments that integrate devices, services, and content while putting consumers in control of their digital destiny,” Tivo CEO John Kirshner said in a statement to Tom’s Guide. “If implemented properly, it can lead to more choices and lower costs for consumers while creating new opportunities for the industry as a whole.”
We’ll have to reserve judgment until we can see the Tivo-powered OS work on some of these budget-focused models. But, in theory, Tivo seems to have found a new niche to make its way back into your living room.