High-Def Advisor

Hybrid Television Services, the company behind the Australian release of the TiVo media device, today announced a deal with popular electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi that will allow TiVo set-top boxes to be sold in its stores.

Throughout October, JB Hi-Fi and Clive Anthony stores will begin to stock TiVo units. This is a change from TiVo’s initial exclusive deal, which restricted TiVo sales to Domayne and Harvey Norman stores nationwide.

This news comes simultaneously with the appointment of Robbee Minicola as CEO of Hybrid Television Services, the Australian TiVo distributor. Minicola said: “We are pleased to welcome JB Hi-Fi into the fold of retailers for our all-important first year of Christmas trading.”

JB Hi-Fi’s CEO Richard Uechtritz said that “Australian consumers today are quite savvy” and that the TiVo suited a community “willing to invest in digital devices that will stay relevant over time”. TiVo units are able to receive software updates via the Internet, with an update scheduled for next year to add the ability to connect an external hard drive for more storage space.

The TiVo media device will be available in 100 JB Hi-Fi and Clive Anthony stores across Australia from October for RRP $699.