TiVo Hits “Erase” on Hate Group?

Earlier this week, I wrote of the developing story surrounding TiVo and the company’s relationship with ultra-conservative group Focus on the Family (FOF). FOF had a relationship with TiVo to promote Tivo’s KidZone content-screening feature and offer a special deal to FOF members. The organization appeared to have partnered with the company on a Father’s Day “Super Dad” contest, although it remains unclear if TiVo is truly involved in this event, or if FOF is simply using the TiVo product/service as a prize offering. (I could believe it either way; I just haven’t seen evidence to prove the connection yet.)

Now, Jeremy of Good As You reports that FOF is indeed rejecting the entries of gay dads (or gay-supportive dads) for their contest. The Family Equality Council was on the ball, however, and relates “Since Thursday, 500+ parents and allies have signed our petition to end TiVo’s partnership with hate group Focus on the Family.”

The Family Equality petition does, however, still say they are disappointed with “TiVo’s decision to partner with James Dobson’s Focus on the Family for a “SuperDad” contest in honor of Father’s Day,” but as I see it, there has been no information on the TiVo site to indicate their involvement in the contest was deliberate. Based on what I’ve heard from people who have called the company, their reps deny any involvement as well. It’s just as possible FOF was using their (confirmed) KidZone relationship with TiVo to dupe us into thinking TiVo was involved in the Father’s Day contest, too. Again, this isn’t conclusive proof that TiVo wasn’t part of the contest—but it’s not conclusive proof they were, either.

There clearly was a relationship for the KidZone promotion, but approval of this could easily have gone through a (clueless) junior marketing staffer with a minimal list of things to check before approving KidZone partners, since that is an ongoing program.

A partnership for the Father’s Day contest, as a one-off deal, would have required a higher level of approval, IMHO. If TiVo did consciously approve it, that is a blacker mark against them. (Again, TiVo should still break off any and all relationships with FOF, regardless—but whether the contest partnership was deliberate impacts how I feel about the company.)

We’re always condemning the other side for hyperbole; I think we need to be careful to keep our facts straight (as it were) ourselves.

Regardless, it is good if TiVo is taking steps to separate themselves from FOF in any way possible, whether the pieces of the relationship are real or imagined. Jeremy says the TiVo Web page about their KidZone relationship with FOF is no longer there. This is good news, and proof that Family Equality’s pressure (even if a bit presumptuous) can convince TiVo to sever all ties with FOF (and, I hope, put in place a process so other similar groups don’t become partners). I also think that shedding light on the unfairness of FOF’s contest, TiVo aside, is a good thing, and I’m glad Family Equality will be showcasing rejected contest entries to make this point.