TiVo has come out with a new dedicated DVR for recording free live over-the-air TV, as the company targets cord cutters.
The new four-tuner Bolt OTA works with most HD antennas and can store up to 150 hours of HD programming. The 1 TB 4K-capable device features TiVo’s user interface, with access to OTT apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. The Bolt OTA costs $250 and comes with a monthly service fee of $6.99 or an annual fee of $69.99.
Users also receive TiVo’s voice-controlled remote, and with SkipMode are able to skip entire commercial breaks on recorded content using a single button.
“TiVo Bolt OTA is the perfect solution for a broad range of TV enthusiasts, including those considering cutting their cable TV subscription or those who might have cut the cord but are missing some programs that are only available via live TV,” says Ted Malone, vice president of consumer products and services at TiVo, in a statement. “We’ve seen growing demand for our over-the-air products, and Bolt OTA is a major upgrade that will continue to keep TiVo at the forefront of the market.”
TiVo’s new product compares to Amazon’s recently introduced Fire TV Recast, which offers a two-tuner option for $230 and a four-tuner version for $280. However, Amazon doesn’t charge any service fees.
Still, TiVo considers Amazon to be at a partner level rather than a rival, according to TechCrunch. Malone told the outlet that TiVo sees its offering as an upgraded cable set-top box, while Amazon’s product is more similar to a DIY solution from Tablo or ChannelMaster.