A reason to smile

A new service available to TiVo subscribers will allow them to download movies and television shows from the internet via Amazon Unbox - and watch them on their TVs. 

"Amazon Unbox on TiVo" differs from movie download services from competitors such as Wal-Mart and Apple, as well as the standalone Unbox service, in that content is sent (via TiVo) to the customer's TV rather than PC. Studios such as CBS, Fox Entertainment Group, Lions Gate, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. have already signed up for the service, Internet News reports.

Television episodes are available for $1.99, and most movies can be purchased for $9.99 to $14.99. Movie rentals will start at $1.99. "Amazon Unbox on TiVo" has been beta-tested by a select group of TiVo subscribers and will soon be available to some 1.5 million broadband-ready TiVo boxes.

Apple is also planning a way to get movie downloads to TV sets, with the upcoming release of its Apple TV, which will allow consumers to play their digital content wirelessly in the living room. Apple expects Apple TV to sell for $299.