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TiVo Corporation

From Alfawiki
TiVo Corporation
IndustryTechnology, Consumer Electronics, Intellectual Property Licensing
PredecessorRovi Corporation, Macrovision Solutions Corporation
Founded1983
FounderVictor Farrow, John O. Ryan
FateMerged with Xperi in 2019; now operates under the Xperi brand
SuccessorXperi
Headquarters
San Jose
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Dave Shull (President and CEO as of May 30, 2019)
ProductsDigital rights management technologies, electronic program guides, metadata services, analytics and recommendation systems
ParentXperi (post-2019 merger)

TiVo Corporation, previously known as Rovi Corporation and Macrovision Solutions Corporation, was a U.S.-based technology firm with headquarters in San Jose, California. Currently functioning under the name Xperi, the company concentrated on intellectual property licensing within the consumer electronics sector, emphasizing digital rights management, electronic program guide software, and metadata solutions. It maintained a portfolio of more than 6,000 patents and provided analytics and recommendation systems tailored for the video industry.

In 2016, Rovi acquired digital video recorder manufacturer TiVo Inc. and subsequently adopted the TiVo Corporation name. Dave Shull was named president and CEO on May 30, 2019.

TiVo merged with Xperi on December 19, 2019, creating one of the world’s largest licensing entities; this combined organization now operates under the Xperi brand.

History

Macrovision Corporation was established in 1983 by Victor Farrow and John O. Ryan. Its initial significant product was a copyright protection technology introduced alongside the 1985 release of The Cotton Club. This technology later extended its application to DVD players and other consumer electronics such as digital cable and satellite set-top boxes, digital video recorders, and portable media devices. By the late 1980s, Macrovision’s services were widely adopted by major Hollywood studios.

During the 1990s, Macrovision broadened its scope through acquisitions in digital media access control, encompassing music, video games, internet content, and software distribution sectors.

Led by CEO John O. Ryan (1995–2001) and President/CEO William A. Krepick (1995–2005), Macrovision went public in 1997 with an initial share price of $9. The company’s revenue expanded from below $20 million to $220 million annually during this period, achieving a market valuation over $1 billion.

In July 2005, Alfred J. Amoroso took over as CEO and president from Krepick.

In May 2008, Macrovision acquired Gemstar-TV Guide for approximately $2.8 billion in cash and stock, with Amoroso describing the goal as becoming “the homepage for the TV experience.”

Following this acquisition, Macrovision shifted focus toward entertainment technology by selling its software division for around $200 million to private equity firm Thoma Cressey Bravo; this division became known as Acresso Software. The company also divested several non-core assets inherited from Gemstar-TV Guide including TryMedia, eMeta, TV Guide Magazine, TV Guide Network, and the TV Games Network.

To enhance its entertainment metadata capabilities, Macrovision purchased All Media Guide in November 2007 and acquired most assets of Muze, Inc. in April 2009.

As Rovi

On July 16, 2009, Macrovision Solutions Corporation changed its name to Rovi Corporation.

Rovi introduced its debut product, TotalGuide, on January 7, 2010—an interactive media guide that combined entertainment data to facilitate search, browsing, and personalized recommendations. On March 16, 2010, Rovi acquired MediaUnbound, a developer of personalization and recommendation engines serving clients such as Napster and MTV Networks. By June 2010, Rovi had launched the Rovi Advertising Network to integrate guide advertising with third-party interactive TV platforms.

In December 2010, Rovi announced it would acquire Sonic Solutions for $720 million; Sonic specialized in digital video processing and owned the OTT provider RoxioNow. In March 2011, Rovi expanded its online video footprint by acquiring SideReel.

Leadership transitioned when CEO Amoroso retired in May 2011; Tom Carson—previously EVP of sales and marketing—was appointed CEO and President in December 2011. Under Carson’s guidance, Rovi concentrated on core technology growth areas while planning divestitures. In 2013, it sold the Rovi Entertainment Store and consumer websites to private equity-backed Reliance Majestic Holdings and All Media Networks respectively. The following year, Rovi announced plans to divest its DivX and MainConcept businesses.

On April 1, 2013, Rovi acquired Integral Reach to boost its predictive audience analytics capabilities. That same year saw Facebook license Rovi’s metadata to enhance video content on its platform.

These strategic moves illustrate Rovi’s evolving business strategy aimed at expanding its presence in digital entertainment data and technology services while refining its portfolio for long-term growth and competitive positioning.

Under the TiVo Corporation Name

On April 29, 2016, Rovi Corporation completed the acquisition of TiVo Inc. for $1.1 billion, merging to form a unified company operating under the TiVo brand and holding a portfolio of more than 6,000 patents. Following this, the firm transitioned away from manufacturing its own hardware, instead focusing on licensing its technological innovations and brand identity to external partners.

In December 2019, TiVo revealed plans to merge with Xperi, establishing a combined enterprise valued at approximately $3 billion. This merger was finalized on June 1, 2020, with the resulting organization adopting the Xperi name. Before this consolidation, TiVo had explored options to separate its hardware division from its licensing operations.

By August 2022, TiVo introduced the TiVo OS tailored for smart television platforms, announcing its rollout in Europe scheduled for 2023 through a collaboration with Vestel.

Media Guides

Rovi provides a range of media guide solutions for both service providers and consumer electronics manufacturers, including:

  • TotalGuide xD – a customizable mobile media guide designed to control set-top boxes for TV and film content.
  • TotalGuide CE – offering access to broadcast channels, premium OTT services, and catch-up TV options.
  • Passport Guide and i-Guide – interactive program guides developed specifically for service providers.
  • G-Guide – an HTML5-based program guide supporting digital terrestrial and satellite broadcasts.
  • TotalTV – an online platform allowing websites to embed local television listings.
  • Rovi DTA Guide – created for households utilizing Digital Terminal Adapters.

Metadata Services

Rovi delivers comprehensive entertainment metadata worldwide to consumer electronics manufacturers, service providers, retailers, and application developers. Its extensive database encompasses over five decades of content, including 5 million movies and television titles, 3.2 million music albums, 30 million individual tracks, 9 million book titles, and 70,000 video games. The metadata collection features detailed information such as program facts, localized TV schedules, channel lineups, editorial summaries, and visual assets.

Search & Recommendation Technologies

The Rovi Search Service empowers consumer electronics makers and service providers to integrate content search functionalities for end-users. Additionally, the cloud-hosted Rovi Recommendations Service offers tailored entertainment suggestions based on individual user preferences across television programs, films, music tracks, and artists.

Advertising Solutions

Rovi Advertising Service enables monetization of entertainment platforms by embedding advertisements within menus and user interfaces across various devices including set-top boxes, connected televisions, smartphones, tablets, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and other digital devices.

Rovi Audience Management Suite

This platform merges large-scale data analytics with predictive modeling to generate insights into television audiences and optimize advertising campaign management. Advertising Optimizer assists TV networks and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) in planning ad campaigns effectively. Meanwhile, Promotion Optimizer leverages viewer data to aid cable and broadcast networks in scheduling on-air promotional content.

Historical Products

Historically, the company developed anti-piracy technologies centered around two principal legacy solutions: RipGuard and the Analog Protection System (APS).

RipGuard

Launched in February 2005, RipGuard was designed to deter or hinder digital copying of DVDs by modifying disc content in ways that interfere with ripping software functionality. Although some sophisticated DVD ripping tools could circumvent RipGuard protections, Macrovision asserted that approximately 95% of average users lacked the technical skills necessary to duplicate DVDs secured with RipGuard technology.

Analog Protection System (APS)

Frequently referred to as Analog Copy Protection (ACP), Copyguard, or Macrovision, APS represented the company’s premier copy prevention technology for VHS and DVD formats. It functioned by embedding pulses into analog video signals that interfered with the automatic gain control circuits of recording devices, resulting in copied tapes that were unplayable. For DVDs and set-top boxes, specific trigger bits inserted during the authoring process activated APS on analog outputs to block unauthorized duplication.

Acquisitions and Business Growth

  • In 2000, Macrovision expanded its software licensing capabilities by acquiring Globetrotter, the developers behind FLEXlm (later renamed Flexnet).
  • The 2002 acquisition of Israeli firm Midbar Technologies for $17 million added the Cactus Data Shield music copy protection technology to Macrovision’s portfolio; simultaneously, it also secured music DRM assets from TTR Technologies.
  • The company ventured into installation software with the 2004 purchase of InstallShield, which was later sold to private equity.
  • In 2005, Macrovision secured intellectual property rights related to DVD Decrypter and acquired both ZeroG Software (known for InstallAnywhere) and Trymedia Systems.
  • Following this, acquisitions included eMeta in 2006 and Mediabolic, Inc. in early 2007 for $43.5 million.
  • Later in 2007, Macrovision announced its intent to acquire All Media Guide and finalized the acquisition of Gemstar-TV Guide by August 2008.
  • Additionally, in December 2007, it obtained BD+ DRM technology from Cryptography Research.
  • To further enhance its metadata services, Macrovision acquired most assets of Muze, Inc. in April 2009.

These strategic acquisitions considerably diversified Macrovision’s offerings across digital rights management, software licensing solutions, metadata services, and content protection technologies—thereby reinforcing its competitive position and expanding its global footprint.

As Rovi

  • On March 16, 2010, Rovi enhanced its recommendation services by acquiring MediaUnbound.
  • On December 23, 2010, Rovi declared plans to purchase Sonic Solutions for $720 million.
  • The company expanded further on March 1, 2011, by acquiring SideReel.
  • To improve cable visibility solutions, Rovi acquired DigiForge on May 5, 2011.
  • In 2012, the company added Snapstick to its portfolio while divesting Roxio to Corel.
  • On April 1, 2013, Rovi acquired Integral Reach to boost its entertainment analytics capabilities.
  • Rovi purchased Veveo, a voice search technology startup, on February 25, 2014, for up to $69 million.
  • On November 3, 2014, Rovi acquired Fanhattan—operator of Fan TV and owner of The Movie Database—for $12 million in cash.
  • The acquisition of TiVo was confirmed by Rovi on April 29, 2016, for roughly $1.1 billion.

These carefully selected acquisitions enhanced Rovi’s product suite and expanded its market presence within digital entertainment technology and content discovery sectors.

See also

Additional sources

External links

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