The Likely Reason Why TiVo Stopped Making Its Own DVRs

Last year, TiVo decided to exit the industry it basically started: the Digital Video Recording (DVR) industry. TiVo didn't make the first DVR, but its products were certainly the most popular. Quite frankly, it's a miracle TiVo DVRs lasted as long as they did, but all good things must come to an end, especially when faced with the threat of superfluousness and redundancy.

When TiVo gave Variety the exclusive scoop that it was exiting the physical DVR market, the company promised indefinite support for its products — many customers bought lifetime subscription plans, and TiVo will honor those purchases. However, TiVo didn't state why it was discontinuing all DVR manufacturing, but that didn't stop the outlet from making some educated guesses. According to Variety, TiVo began to run into trouble when cable companies started adding DVR functionality to their set-top boxes. Why buy a separate device and subscription to record shows you've missed when the function comes standard with your cable package?

Other outlets, such as Cord Cutter News, hypothesized that the rise of streaming services also played a significant role. DVRs record live analog signals and convert them into digital data that users can store and play back at their discretion. Streaming content is already digital, and users can play any movie or show they want so long as it's offered through their platform of choice. Plus, subscribers can download content for offline viewing through the mobile apps of services such as Netflix. All of these features preclude the need for a DVR box, and even if they didn't, services such as Roku provide cloud DVR functionality, which is just another nail in the coffin for standalone DVR boxes like TiVo.

Although TiVo no longer manufactures what was once its bread and butter, the company isn't exactly filing for bankruptcy. Several years ago, TiVo entered the streaming service ring with the TiVo Stream 4K Streaming Stick, which provides 4K resolution. However, that device might be on borrowed time, but the same isn't necessarily true for TiVo.

When TiVo told Variety it would no longer produce DVRs, the company said it was exiting the manufacturing business altogether. TiVo has sold off all its inventory, so all that's left is its software services. We aren't just talking about the aforementioned device support. Going forward, TiVo will focus exclusively on smart TVs that license TiVo technology, as well as the DTS AutoStage video service.

Currently, Sharp is the only company that sells TiVo OS smart TVs in the US. However, Sharp TVs aren't quite what they used to be, so who knows how long that will last. European customers, meanwhile, have a wider selection, as brands such as Vestel, Bush, Telefunken, JVC, and Panasonic carry TiVo-powered TVs. As for DTS AutoStage, you can find that service (and its TiVo-powered features) in select models by brands such as Honda, Audi, Kia, Jeep, and Ford.