SRV/ALL: analysts comments re: lawsuit. Pretty encouraging IMO.
"While the litigation was a thorn in TiVo's side, it would be unlikely to affect its aggressive roll-out, analysts said.
``Any lawsuit like this is a small black cloud over TiVo's head, but whether there's any traction to it, we'll just have to wait and see,' said Sean Badding, vice president of business development for media and telecommunications research firm The Carmel Group.
``It won't prevent them from going out and making strong partnerships,' Badding said. ``It's not going to be detrimental to TiVo's business plan.'
TiVo counts media and communications heavyweights like The Walt Disney Corp. (NYSE:DIS - news), broadcaster CBS Corp. (NYSE:CBS - news) and cable network operator Cox Communications Inc. (NYSE:COX - news) among its investors. Electronics giants Philips NV (PHG.AS) and Sony Corp. (6758.T) make its hardware recorder.
This month, TiVo struck partnerships with Liberate Technologies Inc. (NasdaqNM:LBRT - news) to use some of its program guide software, and video rental chain Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE:BBI - news) to explore providing video-on-demand through the TiVo service.
``They have a dream team of partners, they've got a solid amount of backing supporting this technology,' Badding said.
The company went public at the end of September and its shares have climbed as high as $78. Its chief rival is Replay Networks, a privately held company that offers similar hardware and services. |
