Guide Note:

The TiVo brand of digital recording devices is among the most recognizable in the market place. Launched in 1997, the first TiVo devices rolled off the line in March of 1999, and are often cited as one of the ways that television viewing habits have rapidly changed within the past decade. Devices like a TiVo allow viewers to record and watch programming when and how they want.

Fast Facts:

1. Founded: 1997
2. First Product Release: March 1999
3. Corporate Headquarters: Alviso, CA
4. Employees: 400
5. CEO: Thomas Rogers
6. U.S. Market share: 30-40%

You are the Director

One of the reasons for the popularity of devices such as TiVo is because of how it has eliminated 'appointment television'. It used to be that viewers needed to schedule time to be in front of their televisions, or would need to use multiple bulky video tapes, which would wear out after frequent usage. With the TiVo, the user can set it to automatically record an entire season of a specific show, first run only option included, and saves it for the user to watch at any time. The remote control also gives the user the ability to fast forward, rewind, and use slow motion to watch a broadcast. Later versions of the device allowed for pausing of live viewing, and dual receivers allowed for the simultaneous ability to watch one show while another is being recorded. TiVo is now expanding to include the ability for internet programming to be recorded and viewed in the same manner.