TiVo announced today that it would be offering its subscribers with broad-band connected TiVo Series3 and TiVo HD DVRs access to YouTube videos directly on their TVs. The new service will debut later this year according to TiVo.

"We're delighted to be working with the world's leading online video community so that TiVo subscribers can access YouTube's popular content on the TV via the TiVo DVR," said Tara Maitra, Vice President and GM of Content Services at TiVo Inc. "Being able to make available YouTube videos to the TiVo subscriber base using one device, one remote and one user interface is another major step in our commitment to combine all of your television and web video viewing options in one easy to use service."

For a long time the ability to watch YouTube videos directly on a TV was the main selling point for the Apple TV, which only recently began to offer more when movie rentals came to iTunes. The ability to watch YouTube from HD TiVo units will be a nice addition to other features and help to justify the price per month for TiVo service in more minds.

Via TiVo