Best Buy to TiVo: you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours

ALVISO, Calif. Best Buy announced that it has agreed to increase marketing and merchandising of TiVo DVR devices, as well as other devices that may feature the TiVo user interface and platform in the future.

Chris Homeister, SVP entertainment at Best Buy said, "Best Buy and TiVo together will open up a variety of new ways for consumers to get the most out of their entertainment experience, have more digital content choices, and get on-demand access to Best Buy's trusted perspective in consumer electronics."

In return for increasing awareness of TiVo's products, Best Buy will be able to utilize TiVo's platform to deliver educational and marketing messages directly to consumers. "Customers continue to find new ways to access information and interact, on their terms, with brands they trust," said Barry Judge, Best Buy's chief marketing officer. "The TiVo alliance will open a new channel of customer interaction -- we look forward to pioneering new media together."

"We could not be more gratified with this important relationship with Best Buy, which is the world's leader in retail consumer electronics," said Tom Rogers, president and CEO of TiVo. "We also could not be more gratified by Best Buy's recognition that TiVo is not simply another consumer electronics offering, but an ongoing service experience that can ultimately deliver on the goal of giving viewers anything they want, whenever they want it through their television sets. By virtue of TiVo having become not only a DVR, but also a media center combined with the only universal cable box that can plug into any cable system in the U.S., Best Buy will have the opportunity to both greatly expand the digital options and features available to its TV customers while also simplifying them at the same time. Moreover, we look forward to Best Buy significantly contributing to the vast array of content that is available through TiVo which can offer innovative ways to market it."