Cox to offer video-on-demand content through TiVo (AP)

SAN FRANCISCO – Digital video recording pioneer TiVo Inc. and cable television provider Cox Communications Inc. are making it easier for Cox subscribers who use TiVo's DVR boxes to watch Cox's on-demand video content.

The companies said Thursday that Cox's video-on-demand library will become accessible on TiVo's latest DVR, the TiVo Premiere, in Cox's major markets, which includes Las Vegas and San Diego. The integration is expected early next year.

In the past, cable providers have not integrated their on-demand content with consumer DVR products such as those from TiVo, so watching on-demand movies or television shows from Cox and other companies has been a cumbersome process for TiVo users.

The agreement between the two companies aims to make this a more seamless process, allowing customers of both to use TiVo's interface and search function to access Cox's on-demand videos, as well as other television content.

It will work with new and existing TiVo Premieres. TiVo began selling the Premiere, which starts at $300, in March.

The companies also said that Cox will market TiVo Premiere by doing things such as offering free installation for subscribers who buy the boxes online or in bricks-and-mortar stores and promoting it on its website.