HD Radio Owner Xperi To Merge With TiVo

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Xperi Corporation, which owns and licenses the HD Radio technology, has announced a $3 billion merger with TiVo Corporation.

The combination will create an intellectual property licensing platform that spans a number of the largest addressable markets in entertainment content, consumer electronics, and semiconductors. With more than 10,000 patents and applications between the two companies and minimal licensee overlap, the combined IP business will be one of the largest licensing companies in the world. TiVo stockowners will own 53.5% of the combined company, which will take the Xperi name. Xperi senior managerment including CEO Jon Kirchner and CFO Robert Anderson will lead the new operation, while TiVo CEO David Shull will remain on as a strategic advisor during the integration period.

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/182472/hd-radio-owner-xperi-to-merge-with-tivo/

Deal is at play.

 

[Kelly A]

Ha! I didn't know TiVo was even still around.

 

[TheBigA]

Ha! I didn't know TiVo was even still around.

A lot of people thought the same thing about HD radio.

 

[Kelly A]

At least Xperi is consistent with companies/standards to buy... I hear Myspace might be available next!

 

[anotherguyTN]

Ha! I didn't know TiVo was even still around.

I knew Tivo was still around, but I have another question: I found 2 Tivo Series 2 DVRs at Goodwill. Would these still be usable in any form? Thanks!

 

[Kelly A]

I knew Tivo was still around, but I have another question: I found 2 Tivo Series 2 DVRs at Goodwill. Would these still be usable in any form? Thanks!

Don't know. Check here: https://www.tivo.com/shop

 

[TheBigA]

The thing that's been missing for HD Radio is the actual radio. iBiquity was dependent on outside electronics manufacturing companies to build, market, and sell radio devices that contained HD Radio. They were dependent on that licensing money. If no one wanted to pay to do that, there would be no radios and therefore, no audience. That's basically what happened. At first the company made deals with electronics companies that made table radios. Terrible idea. Table radios are a niche business, basically for audiophiles, not the general public. What they should have focused on was the portable business and becoming standard equipment in cars.

People who attended the Consumer Electronics Show got a look at a new radio. The radio doesn't have AM, FM, or HD. It was built by SiriusXM. It's not a table radio, but a device that can be portable and installed in a car.

https://radioink.com/2020/01/08/new-siriusxm-tour-on-display-at-ces/

Imagine if the HD radio folks had something like this.

 

[CTListener]

The thing that's been missing for HD Radio is the actual radio. iBiquity was dependent on outside electronics manufacturing companies to build, market, and sell radio devices that contained HD Radio. They were dependent on that licensing money. If no one wanted to pay to do that, there would be no radios and therefore, no audience. That's basically what happened. At first the company made deals with electronics companies that made table radios. Terrible idea. Table radios are a niche business, basically for audiophiles, not the general public. What they should have focused on was the portable business and becoming standard equipment in cars.

At least one portable was made, with the Insignia brand. It was crap in design and sound quality. Mine still works, so I guess it had durability in its favor.

 

[TheBigA]

At least one portable was made, with the Insignia brand. It was crap in design and sound quality.

That says it all right there. Imagine if it had been cool and something everybody wanted to buy, such as the Echo. Imagine the difference.

People aren't buying these smart speakers because they have unique programming. It's the same programming they can get on any internet radio. The difference is the Echo is cool, it sounds good, and (this is important) it's voice actuated. Imagine an HD radio that did that.

Of course, you can use an Echo as an HD Radio if the HD station streams.

 

[davideduardo]

Ha! I didn't know TiVo was even still around.

They have a major percentage of DVR patents and are developing more constantly. The TiVo service and DVR are about 1000% better than cable provider DVR devices...we have both and there is no comparison.

 

[Kelly A]

They have a major percentage of DVR patents and are developing more constantly. The TiVo service and DVR are about 1000% better than cable provider DVR devices...we have both and there is no comparison.

I had a TiVo DVR around back in the early 2000's. You're right, TiVo used to be pretty good, but it seems like they've fallen behind with all the VOD/PPV streamed services like Amazon Roku, Hulu, and now Amazon Firestick and Disney+.

 

[spiritof67]

That says it all right there. Imagine if it had been cool and something everybody wanted to buy, such as the Echo. Imagine the difference.

People aren't buying these smart speakers because they have unique programming. It's the same programming they can get on any internet radio. The difference is the Echo is cool, it sounds good, and (this is important) it's voice actuated. Imagine an HD radio that did that.

Of course, you can use an Echo as an HD Radio if the HD station streams.

If being the operative word, and for the usual excuses, I mean, reasons.

A better portable than the Insignia model is the Sangean HDR-16. A good build, and a solid performer on FM HD. As for AM, the HD has issues separate from the radio. Otherwise it performs well on the band (or as I like to say, has the sensitivity of a Dan Fogelberg song).