TiVo has now announced a new top-of-the-line streaming device dubbed the Stream 4K for this year’s CES 2020 event. But that’s not the only big announcement from the entertainment-first company. The company will also be nearly doubling the number of streaming channels available through its TiVo+ service just in time for that product’s Stream 4K’s official release.
The new gadget may or may not be the same as was tipped back in September of last year. But it represents the company’s first foray into the streaming media market and, in terms of functionality, it’s mostly going to match up with the competition. It’s also going to surpass the vast majority of streaming platforms in several key ways.
A new streaming device tailor-made for TiVo+ and everything else
For TiVo Stream 4K, Sling TV will be set as the preferred source for subscription TV services through the device thanks to a partnership between the two companies. That means both live TV and Cloud DVR via the Sling TV app will be available.
Conversely, TiV0’s own TiVo+ will be set as the preferred service on the free ad-supported side of things. But those aren’t the only services that will be available from launch. Buyers can also choose between top-tier streaming providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO, Vudu, YouTube. The company says others will be included in that mix as well.
The overall design for TiVo Stream 4k won’t vary too much from competing devices either. TiVo Stream 4K is a small, dongle-style gadget that plugs directly into a television via an open HDMI port. A Voice Remote will be included to make finding something to watch easier. Users can also take advantage of a built-in universal search to find shows or movies across platforms.
However, the most important aspect of the new device may actually be just how high quality the streaming is expected to be. Not only is 4K resolution already in the branding. The TiVo Stream 4K will support audio and video up to and including both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision HDR.
Those features could make a world of difference. TiVo Stream 4K output could ultimately be some of the best on the market. The entry price of that device only serves to set the value even higher. TiVo plans to release Stream 4K via its official website and other retailers in April with an MSRP of just $69.99. That’s following a limited initial launch period, where pricing will be down at $49.99.
New channels are coming to TiVo+ from CES 2020
The second big announcement from TiVo at CES 2020 is that the company’s TiVo+ streaming service is almost doubling its available content just in time for the launch of TiVo Stream 4K. In fact, TiVo+ will be gaining as many as 23 new channels, bringing the total number of ad-supported television and movie channels to 49.
The biggest change to TiVo+ is likely going to be the addition of a News category. That will include news from USA Today, Cheddar and Top Stories by Newsy. Sportswire and MMA Junkie are also being added to the Sports Category. New Lifestyle channels are being added from Condé Nast, Tastemade, Latido Music, Mobcrush, and Revry.
As part of the latter run of partnerships listed above, Glamour, Bon Appetit, Traveler, GQ and Wired programming will be added as well as Food, Travel and Home Design programming.
TiVo also says that its Comedy genre will expand to include Funny or Die and The Chive. The TiVo+ Kids and the Movies and TV categories will include Mr. Bean & Friends, Kabillion, Law & Crime, American Classics, OMG! Network and Reel Truth.
Those will roll out to TiVo+ over the next several weeks, during the leadup to the launch of TiVo Stream 4K.