FCC Grants TiVo Waiver From Analog Tuner Mandate

The Federal Communications Commission will allow TiVo to sell more digital-only devices.

The FCC granted the company a waiver, which was unopposed, of the agency’s analog tuner requirement. TiVo had argued that having to include an analog tuner in its set-tops increased power consumption and price to little net consumer effect. The FCC agreed, saying that it would help TiVo provide consumers a more competitive retail alternative to cable-leased devices -- the FCC has for years been trying to increase retail competition to cable set-tops.

[Aug 12]