MUMBAI: DirecTV Group Inc. vice chairman Eddy Hartenstein has stepped down from TiVo Inc.'s board of directors after an eight-month commitment.

The US-based digital video recorder (DVR) maker TiVo gets the bulk of its business from a co-marketing agreement they have with DirecTV, provider of digital television entertainment, broadband satellite networks and services, and global video and data broadcasting.

The general perception being that DVRs like TiVo kill television advertisements, News Corp's taking over of DirecTV late last year had raised doubts on the future of the TiVo-DirecTV collaboration. So Hartenstein's membership on the TiVo board was seen as a symbolic gesture solidifying the partnership between TiVo and DirecTV.

DirecTV is quoted in media reports as saying the resignation was part of an effort to reduce "certain external obligations" in order to focus more time on DirecTV.

"We look forward to working with him in the future on new initiatives as we continue to grow our relationship with DirecTV," said TiVo Chief Executive Mike Ramsay.

While regretting that other obligations prevented him from further fulfilling his duties of a TiVo director, Hartenstein has expressed his interest in continuing the strong business relationship between DirecTV and TiVo.