Een grote tegenslag voor Microsoft TV. Kabelaar UPC heeft gisteren mede gedeeld dat het bedrijf de software van Liberate Technologies voor hun digitale televisies gaat gebruiken, in plaats van de eerder verwachte software van aandeelhouder Microsoft. De reden hiervoor is dat Microsoft TV's software erg vertraagd is, en UPC niet nog langer wil wachten. "Ze vertrouwen nu op resultaten en niet meer op beloftes", vertelt de CEO van Liberate over UPC. Het betreft overigens nu alleen nog maar Amsterdam. Het is dus nog mogelijk dat in andere steden wel de software van Microsoft gebruikt gaat worden:
Europe's largest cable TV operator UPC said on Saturday it would use digital TV software from Liberate Technologies, after software from its eight percent shareholder Microsoft was delayed.
Microsoft has worked with UPC for almost two years to develop interactive TV for UPC's network and has invested millions into cable companies in Europe and the United States including UPC, Britain's Telewest and NTL. UPC Chairman Mark Schneider told analysts in August that the Microsoft lost whatever preferential rights it had as a shareholder by failing to deliver the software in time.
"UPC has turned into a 'show me' company now. They want to make decisions based on results instead of promises," Liberate Chief Executive Officer Mitchell Kertzman said.
"Long term we want Microsoft TV to be as widely deployed as possible on UPC's network, but that's long term. The proof is in the pudding, not who wins in each city," Ed Graczyk, Microsoft director for Microsoft TV platform group told Reuters.