SBC Partners With 2Live for TiVo Competitor

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Communications conglomerate SBC Communications Inc. has entered into a joint venture with digital video recorder manufacturer 2Wire Inc. and formed a new subsidiary aimed at creating a service to compete with TiVo.

Currently in development by SBC Media Solutions, the new service will utilize 2Wire’s MediaPortal set-top box to integrate satellite television, digital video recording, video-on-demand, and Internet content and will be available to customers who subscribe to SBC | DISH Network and SBC Yahoo! DSL services.

“The SBC home entertainment service will bring together many of the features that consumers want most, including television programming, video-on-demand and Internet content and services, in a way that competitors and cable TV providers can’t match,” said Ed Cholerton, chief executive officer of SBC Media Solutions. “It is another important milestone in the SBC ‘grand slam’ strategy of leadership in landline voice, wireless, broadband Internet and video services.”

Among the many features of the service are fully integrated access to satellite programming, and both music- and video-on-demand available from a variety of different sources and delivered through high-speed DSL connections to stereos, entertainment systems and networked computers.

Customers will operate the box through a remote control that flips open to reveal a keyboard.

The box also features a 250 gigabyte disk drive and a CD/DVD RW optical drive and supports Windows Media 9 digital rights management technology.

SBC said that the new service will allow users to download pictures from digital cameras directly to the set-top box and to view previously saved images on networked computers.

Users will also be able to remotely program their boxes using any computer connected to the Internet, as well as access files stored on their home computers through the box.

Future plans for the service include allowing customers to access the service through Cingular wireless phones and to view Caller ID and call-log information on their television screens. SBC also plans to allow customers to monitor all phone voicemail, email and faxes through one mailbox viewable on a television screen.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

TeamSkeet Releases 1st Installment of 'Ripe for the Taking'

TeamSkeet has released the first installment of its latest feature, "Ripe for the Taking," starring TeamSkeet March AllStar Scarlett Alexis.

Skinfluential Management's FansFuel Acquires Fanwire

Creator stats and affiliate marketing platform FansFuel has acquired creator account management tool Fanwire.

Pineapple Support Taps Kasey Kei as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named veteran performer and content creator Kasey Kei as its latest brand ambassador.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Eva Maxim, Katrina Colt Headline 'Cumming to LA' From Cherry Kiss

Eva Maxim and Katrina Colt star with Vince Karter in 2021 XBIZ Europas Female Performer of the Year Cherry Kiss' "Cumming to L.A.," from Evil Angel.

AEBN Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) is celebrating its 25th year in business this week.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Skylar Snow Headlines 'Infidelity 4' From Sweet Sinner

Skylar Snow toplines "Infidelity 4," the latest release from Mile High Media studio brand Sweet Sinner.

Serenity Cox Stars in 'Enjoy It' From MILFY

Serenity Cox stars with Alberto Blanco in "Enjoy It," from Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY.

Show More