Alaskan cable operator GCI has become the first North American MSO to deploy a version of the Pace-built XG1 powered by the TiVo platform and user interface.
The TiVo UI has been ported to the Pace gateway, which features six tuners and a built-in DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem, and supports GCI’s linear and VOD service.
Under the deal, announced last August, GCI started off by offering customers the TiVo-built Premiere Q4 four-tuner gateway DVR in tandem with the TiVo Mini, a low-cost IP set-top box, and TiVo Stream, a video transcoding sidecar that delivers video over Wi-Fi to tablets and smartphones on the home network.
According to the GCI site, it currently offers the TiVo option in Anchorage, Chugiak, Girdwood, Eagle River, Wasilla, Palmer, Juneau, Fairbanks, Eielson AFB, Fort Wainwright, and North Pole; and is preparing to make it available “soon” in Ketchikan, Kenai, Kodiak, and Soldotna.
GCI ended the second quarter with 119,600 basic video subscribers.
“The Pace/TiVo solution offers our subscribers TiVo’s award winning user interface to access and discover VOD and linear TV content, together with personalized recommendations and powerful search and discovery capabilities,” said Bob Ormberg, VP of content and product development at GCI, in a statement. “It also offers total platform flexibility for software development and service enhancements from our trusted and longstanding CPE partner, Pace.”
“GCI is the first on a long list of service providers planning deployments of our solution this year,” added Tim O’Loughlin, president of Pace Americas.
In the U.S., TiVo has agreements with Charter Communications, Suddenlink Communications, RCN, Cable One, and Grande Communications, among others.
Like GCI, Mediacom started off its deployment using TiVo-made equipment, but also has plans to offer TiVo on the Pace XG1.
The deployment marks another step forward in TiVo's strategy to port its software platform to MSO-leased devices. In addition to Pace, Cisco Systems, Samsung and Technicolor have licensed TiVo's Hardware Porting Kit (HPK).
