Digital video recorder company TiVo has launched a new service that delivers broadband video directly to the television sets of US TiVo subscribers. 

TiVoCast is available to more than 400,000 US subscribers with broadband-enabled standalone TiVo units. The service is not yet available to the four million users of TiVo-DirecTV set-top boxes. 

"The range and quality of broadband video is exploding on the web, but it's not TV until it's on the TV," said TiVo chief executive Tom Rogers.

Tara Maitra, vice president at TiVo, added: "Television is still the preferred platform for watching video. TiVoCast delivers programming that is not otherwise available through the TV."

The TiVo interface aims to make it easy for subscribers to find and navigate web-based video content. Users will also have access to free exclusive content from TiVo partners including CNET and the National Basketball Association. 

"Consumers are ready for an on-demand channel about personal technology," said Joe Gillespie, CNET executive vice president. "We know that nothing helps demystify technology as well as video."

TiVoCast follows the launch last month of the TiVo Series2 DT, touted as the first standalone dual-tuner DVR that can record two shows at once, and TiVoToGo, which allows users to transfer favourite shows to a laptop or portable player. 

TiVo DVRs are no longer available to buy in the UK, but existing owners can get customer service and support from Sky.