TiVo launches a blog!

Over on the TiVo fan page, it looks like they've announced the offical TiVo Blog. As part of their Ambassador contest, one of the prizes was to write on a new blog and it looks like they've launched it ahead of the contest closing.

I'm glad to see it and welcome their voice online. TiVo's had a few rocky moments in the past year or two, and often I could point to a lack of communication as the main problem. A TiVo customer notices something strange, posts about it online, and eventually other users gather and share complaints -- but those complaints are usually met with silence from TiVo HQ or you might hear a soundbite from a news story. With a new official company blog, I think TiVo could do a lot of good for the company by having an open and honest communication channel with customers -- many potential problems could have been nipped in the bud with a few carefully worded statements at the right time. Of course, aside from any PR problems, I'm looking forward to hearing about new products, tips and tricks directly from the horse's mouth.

So welcome TiVo to the fold!

Comments

[MegaZone]

I just hope that they take full advantage of the blog and *do* address the issues as they arise, and not just with fluff.

I admit I'm a bit envious - sounds like a fun position to me. :-)

[Dave Zatz]

I'm with Megazone... I hope they take advantage of having this method of communicating with us. Though, given the "fluff" we see in the monthly newsletter and the lack of press interaction, I'm not very hopeful.

[erik]

I think it's a good idea and glad Tivo will have another outlet to communicate with it's fans/users, hopefully in a more regular and slightly more informal way (compared to press releases / quartely investor calls)

Although sarcastically I can't help but think, "TiVo, 2004 called and wants its corporate blog back" ;)

[sbl]

I'm really struggling to see TiVo as more than some talented engineers with a bunch of incompetant merketing parasites attached. You can't announce a blog and then not release any of the posts people submit.

This Nova lady seems lime 98% fluff, 2 % substance.

[schalliol]

What crap! I tried to make a comment, which wasn't harsh, and they didn't post it. They should change "comments" to "thought-policed comments."

[Rakesh]

The disclaimer they have on every post is very un-blog-like:

Guidelines for Posting on TiVo Blog:
By submitting my comments and by participating in the TiVo Blog, I agree to allow TiVo Inc. to use my name and comments in whole or in part for publicity purposes on the TiVo Website or other promotional materials without further permission or compensation. I understand that my submitted comments becomes property of TiVo Inc. and will not be returned, and that I release all rights and claims to the content submitted for the TiVo Blog. I also state that the content submitted is of my own original creation and style and acknowledge that my comments will be subject to review by TiVo and edited in whole or in part by TiVo prior to publication.

[Abraam]

Kenyan opposition leaders say they will continue to hold rallies demanding new elections, despite a government ban.

[Willie Washington]

Interesting

[Todd Lokken]

Not sure I understand Abraam thoughts here....

Todd Lokken

[Michael Wein]

Dish Network
Promotions offered but reneged upon

Complaint Rating:
I originally subscribed to DISH network after buying a satellite dish and two (supposedly free) receivers. The receivers, costing $100 each, were supposed to be free as a result of receiving 20 $10 credits as I continued my subscription for 20 or more months. Even though I guess this offer was for ANY priced subscription, I actually purchased the highest cost subscription and continued it for the entire 20 months and more.

Even after five phone calls (left on HOLD for prolonged time until I got thru and discussed the above with them) and at least 3 emails, I have yet to receive $1 in credits, much less the $200 they owe.

This is a common problem with DISH network. Sort of a bait and switch carried to an extreme. It is a marketing tool wherein the offering party (DISH) probably has no intention of fulfilling its promises.

Should any attorney read this, I would be very happy to offer myself as a lead plaintiff in a class action suit. They are ripe as I constantly read of DISH's rip-offs, so often that there will be many other in our "class".

[Tivo w/ satellite TV]

Interesting comments about TiVo. I love my TiVo because it compliments my satellite TV service remarkably!