Seven announced Tivo pricing - $700

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23955607-30540,00.html

$700 + a broadband connection!

Yes, broadband penetration is pretty solid now ... but still, there will investment beyond just buying the unit in terms of either buying a wireless router or setting up another connection in the room with the unit.

TiVo will reportedly only support FTA content ... not Pay TV.

The question you have to ask is, when was the last time you really (and I mean $700 really) wanted to watch two shows at the same time on FTA? I know I generally don't lose sleep when choosing between watching the Big Brother Daily Show or Two and a Half Men reruns.

TiVo works well in the US because there is a heap of content available. I am not sure with 5 FTA stations (lets not pretend any of the HD stations really offer anything compelling as yet) such a device is needed.

I'm thinking Seven had to launch this before the Olympics as this will be the only time in the next 4 years when time shifting TV will be something people actually feel they need ... for the two weeks the Olympics are on that is.

Whirlwind week - catch up

Phew! What a week. With half the office out and my colleague burning up the stage at Ad:Tech, I haven't had a chance to post at all this week.

Not too much to report

AOL pays USD 850m for Bebo

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2008/tc20080313_479505.htm?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories

Hard to really comment on this given it just happened and Bebo isn't really much of a player in the AU market. Wonder whether it will affect the sales relationship Bebo has with Y!7? It appears from the article everyone else didn't want to touch Bebo - Yahoo, Disney, MSN etc

Disgraced NY governor Elliot Spitzer's drop in call-girl is also a wannabe singer

http://valleywag.com/367548/call-girl-beats-barenaked-ladies-radiohead-singer

Check amiestreet.com

Doubleclick and Google merger is now approved

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2008/tc20080311_855889.htm?chan=search

Green light from the EU means Google can now officially enter another realm.

Disney CEO: join the digital revolution--or hire people who can.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=78382&Nid=40401&p=921280

Eisner replacement lays down the a directive for Disney to significantly grow digital revenues.

YouTube coming to TV - via Tivo

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/technology/13tivo.html?_r=2&ref=media&oref=login&oref=slogin

When it is introduced this year (the exact time has not been specified), the YouTube service will be available only to TiVo users who have up-to-date hardware — a Series 3 or HD set-top box — and a broadband connection. Sounds cool, will Seven roll it out locally? Wonder what is actually happening with Tivo here.

Carlton Draught launch Skytroop

http://www.skytroop.com

Lots of video placements, plus a YouTube homepage takeover.