can I split optical out to HT receiver?

I have a HT that has only one optical audio input, so I ordered an optical splitter so I can have both my bluray and tivo premier use the receiver. my question is, if the splitter is not a powered switch, will the TiVo still send its audio to the receiver when the bluray is being used? I thought the inexpensive optical splitter would be a way to utilize my HT receiver for both the tivo and bluray player, but now I'm wondering will the tivo continue to send audio when its not being used, and therefore interfere with the audio feed from the bluray player? for my setup, its just much easier to use the HT receiver before the tv, rather than use the optical out from the tv to the receiver. the tv is wall mounted, and the cable run inside a chase, and will be very hard to connect a new optical cable from the tv back to the receiver, so i'd rather just use the receiver as i'm doing now, by sending hdmi to tv, but optical out from the tivo and bluray directly to the receiver. this sounds all so confusing, hope someone understands what i'm suggesting.