TiVo revives lifetime service plan (again)

TiVo sure loves playing "peek-a-boo" with its lifetime service plan, which is making a brief comeback for the next few months.

Engadget HD noticed that TiVo recently launched a "Blue Moon" special, which includes a TiVo HD DVR, a wireless TiVo network adapter, and lifetime service (which gives you access to TiVo's electronic programming guide and software updates) for a cool $698. By way of comparison, a TiVo HD DVR with three years of pre-paid service goes for $598.

Not bad, although it looks like you must buy a new TiVo HD DVR to get the lifetime service plan—you can't simply add lifetime service to an existing TiVo. Bah. Also, the Blue Moon special ends June 16, so if you're interested, you'd better strike while the iron's hot.

TiVo killed off its vaunted lifetime service plan back in 2006, although it's made a few curtain calls (in one form or another) during the past several months.

And while we're on the subject, I'll just ask this question again: Why can't TiVo simply jettison the subscription fees altogether?

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TiVo's Blue Moon special: TiVo HD, lifetime service for $698 [Engadget HD]