Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : C-Cube -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: DiViT who wrote (38307)	1/20/1999 4:44:00 PM
From: John Rieman	Respond to of 50808

Replay, TiVo and WebTV.................. The satellite deals are handy launching pads, but TiVo and the others are courting cable companies, too. And let's not overlook the investments that Paul Allen's Vulcan Ventures has made in both TiVo and Replay. Although the amounts have not been revealed, this is not merely a case of cautious Allen covering the bases. With Allen's recent purchase of Charter and Century cable systems (and more to come?), there's an obvious and inbred migration path available through the cable environment for one or both set-top VOD suppliers. Cabal-sniffing conspiracy seekers believe that Allen still consorts with his Microsoft cofounder, Bill Gates, suggesting that WebTV's agenda is ultimately also tied into Vulcan's plans. Of course, it's not all good news for TiVo, Replay and WebTV. If the set-top-storage concept works, brand-name electronics makers such as Thomson and Panasonic could swiftly plunge into the business. That's why TiVo and Replay are hustling to line up equipment-maker deals, assuring that their systems will find shelf space and branding -- and, in the process, perhaps set themselves up for acquisition. TiVo and DirecTV have already lined up Philips as a set-top equipment maker; Philips, Sony, Mitsubishi and others already make WebTV boxes. Replay says it is close to a couple of consumer-electronics deals. They'd better hurry, because none of the companies appears to have strong enough patent protection. If their technology succeeds in the marketplace, other suppliers -- with bigger names -- could swoop into the space. more....................... multichannel.com