“..Much-hyped digital recording device TiVo has had a disastrous launch, despite a $10 million dollar investment by Television New Zealand.
Multiple industry sources estimated there had been fewer than 2000 sales since the product was launched by Hybrid Television Services on November 6.
Hybrid said at the time it hoped to sell 120,000 boxes within five years.
A spokeswoman called the 2000 figure “completely inaccurate” ..
.. but said the company had a policy of not disclosing sales numbers .. and would not comment further.
TiVo boxes are sold exclusively through Telecom stores.
Telecom’s retail chief executive Alan Gourdie said on February 12 that sales had been modest.
“We set some quite high targets for Christmas that we didn’t deliver.”
But Telecom spokeswoman Julia Bell said Telecom was comfortable with TiVo and sales figures were not a concern.
“We’re pretty happy with the numbers .. and we really like the relationship we’ve got with Hybrid.”
The slow uptake of TiVo will have consequences for taxpayers because TVNZ paid $10 million last year for its stake in Hybrid.
A TVNZ spokeswoman said the state-owned broadcaster was happy with the decision to buy into the company.
“We have no concerns .. and are completely comfortable with the investment.”
A spokesman for broadcasting minister Jonathan Coleman said he had no comment on the TiVo investment..”
go to source/story>>Kiwi viewers shun TiVo – Business – NZ Herald News
