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Just as I was finishing up the article about TiVo and Real Networks, giving its users access to Rhapsody, I saw another, distressing article about the TiVo service.

Everyone wants one of these - even Comcast customers.

Over 18 months ago, Comcast made a deal with TiVo to bring its brand of DVR units to subscribers of its cable offerings. As anyone who has compared, for even a short while, knows, TiVo is an interface and standard that beats the competition by a large margin.

So why would Comcast, purveyors of a service that it proclaims to be the best of its kind, not want to keep the standard of quality and service to its customers above all others?

Convenience like this is only available under one name - TiVo.

The CEO of TiVo has stated his amazement at the heel dragging of the cable provider. The CEO has more than a little interest in the service beginning at Comcast. Continued delays, after the announcement of almost 2 years ago, has tended to make the company’s fortunes on the stock market slide. I’m certain that the Comcast customer base would vote in the affirmative if asked that they wanted the service, and could leave behind any other kludged methods of trying to duplicate the TiVo goodness. On the other side of things, Comcast is stating that the service, and machines, are being beta tested by its own employees.

These guys are supposed to be changing the way cable works, and the customer’s views on cable service. Why then are they dragging feet on implementation of a great service?

What is there to beta test? TiVo has worked with off-air television for years. TiVo has worked with DirecTV for years, and continues to do so with both. Other than the transmission method, which is transparent to the software on the TiVo unit, what is different about these machines? Nothing has been claimed as different. No new features; simply the ability to get the best of what timed video recording offers. Could it be that the employees are refusing to give the final word, as they will lose the free use of the equipment when the beta cycle ends?

I am obviously joking here, but there does seem to be no good reason for this delay - especially for something that’s Comcastic!

Cable television purveyors cannot afford to be too cavalier about broken promises to consumers, with HDTV over the air, and satellite television performance, both better and cheaper than most providers’ offerings. Comcast has not been doing so well as an internet service provider, so it must rely on cable television subscriptions to continue being profitable.

Is it Comcastic to deny TiVo goodness to your customer base?

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