DIRECTV and TiVo jointly announced on Wednesday that they have extended their current agreement which includes the development, marketing and distribution of a new HD DIRECTV DVR featuring the TiVo service, as well as the extension of mutual intellectual property arrangements.

The two companies said that they will continue to develop a version of the TiVo service for DIRECTV's broadband enabled DVRs. TiVo's Universal Swivel Search and KidZone will also be included.

DIRECTV HR20 Satellite DVR

According to the agreement, DIRECTV is free to continue to develop its own branded DVRs to new and existing customers as an alternative choice.

"As the industry's content and technology leader, DIRECTV has a long-standing reputation for developing innovative, advanced products and services, including our highly successful series of DVRs and HD DVRs," said Chase Carey, president and CEO, DIRECTV, Inc. "We will continue to work with TiVo and make this new product available to all new and existing DIRECTV customers who may want to add TiVo on top of our industry leading experience."

Currently, DIRECTV customers must purchase or lease the HR-20/21 model DVRs, and the use of a TiVo branded box, while possible with Cable, is not possible with DIRECTV. This announcement will be welcome to those who want the features of a satallite capable DVR plus the features of the broadband connected TiVo services.

The new DIRECTV HD DVRs with TiVo services are planned for the second half of 2009.