The EPG data is not free. The data itself, server capacity and bandwidth need to be purchased and applicable patent licensing fees need to be paid. Since the EPG was first introduced in EyeTV 2, EyeTV includes 1 year of service for the tvtv EPG in Europe, and 3 months for the IceTV EPG in Australia. After the included service period, tvtv and IceTV charge a renewal fee to continue providing EPG service.
Elgato also paid a fee to TitanTV for each EyeTV user in North America. Our contract with TitanTV expires in 2010 and with complaints about TitanTV's performance mounting, we have been evaluating alternative solutions. TV Guide emerged as the supplier with the best data and the best service quality. Unfortunately, TV Guide requires us to pay yearly fees.
Existing EyeTV 3 users have the option to continue to use TitanTV for at least one more year - Elgato is still paying the license for you, but in 2010 we will focus solely on the TV Guide for North America.
Another alternative for ATSC users (digital TV over antenna) is to use the free in-stream ATSC EPG.
Finally, all EyeTV users world-wide have access to an XMLTV based EPG. User can find EPG data on line - sometimes free, often for a fee - and enter that into the EyeTV Program Guide. This XMLTV option offers the most flexibility for users who want to try out other EPG providers.
Hopefully this information will help you understand more about the EPG fee structure, and why Elgato has selected TV Guide as the best option for North American users.
