NDS-DirecTV Deal Sinks TiVo

NDS Group plc said Monday that it will provide DirecTV Inc. with digital-video-recorder technology starting in the first quarter of 2005, Reuters reported.

The news came as a blow to TiVo Inc., which has a deal to supply the direct-broadcast satellite operator with DVRs through 2007. Most of TiVo’s business comes from DirecTV.

A TiVo spokeswoman told Reuters Monday that the NDS announcement was "not a surprise," and that "the relationship is the same" with DirecTV.

Added DirecTV spokesman Bob Marsocci, "Anything we think can grow this business is good for us, good for shareholders and good for consumers."