Hybrid Television Services, Australia’s exclusive TiVo distributor, is restructuring its business to make way for new video on demand and interactive services.
The company announced new positions and promotions in the company as part of the restructure, including the appointment of former Derni Retail Business Development Manager, Peter Sharp, as Chief Sales Officer.
“The future is all about optimising broadband and wireless connectivity with both content and services,” said Sharp. “I believe Hybrid TV is leading the way within the industry with regards to optimising all Internet-connected devices in the home.”
Hybrid TV expects Sharp to lead the company in further development of the CASPA platform used to power TiVo’s video-on-demand content. The company is looking to expand into Internet-enabled televisions, multimedia devices and gaming consoles.
The move may stiffen competition between the TiVo unit and Foxtel’s iQ2, both producing their own line of hard drive–equipped set-top boxes and video-on-demand services. Foxtel announced in last year’s final quarter that 800,000 households have at least one iQ, and recently announced a 21 per cent revenue boost in the first half of the financial year.
Sales data from market research company GfK indicates that TiVo has held its position in Australia as leading HD-PVR device in terms of sales value from August 2008 to December 2009.
