David Becker
Gear

DVR Penetration Hits 20 percent

A new research report says that a fifth of U.S. households now have digital video recorders, and not necessarily because they love the idea so much. The Leichtman Research Group survey says that most of the growth has come from cable and satellite providers pushing the boxes as part of upgrading to digital and especially […]

Tivo2
A new research report says that a fifth of U.S. households now have digital video recorders, and not necessarily because they love the idea so much. The Leichtman Research Group survey says that most of the growth has come from cable and satellite providers pushing the boxes as part of upgrading to digital and especially HDTV service.

And more bad news for TiVo: Most consumers don't know or care who made their DVR. Says researcher Bruce Leichtman:

TiVo has become a generic name, like Kleenex...They're not the ones pushing the DVR into the home. They have to figure out a way to use their powerful brand name and move it from a generic to a premium device.

DVR love spreading: 20 percent of US homes now in on the action [Ars Technica]