Well considering you have to pay money in order have your product considered, ya I kinda think this award is a joke. Awards given out by people like Engadget, the Verge, or even CNET hold more water than this. (I noticed that you didn't even try to defend the Tivo Premiere Elite, so you agree with me?)
How are they paying for it, or are you referring to the cost of exhibiting at CES?
I've never used an elite, but it received this mention for a reason (just as DISH was honored for one of their products), I just hate the bashing for no reason other than to hate on a brand that you have an obvious bias against because they were successful in litigation against the company you sub to for 'longer than you can remember'.
I don't see you in the general awards thread debunking this perceived farce of an award, only taking another opportunity to bash TiVo... which this panel of "independent industrial designers, independent engineers and members of the trade press" obviously disagrees with.
Also it appears TiVO is an honoree for the award, the
Panasonic BDT320 Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc player won it.