ZilionTV expands pilot program, delays product launch
Here we are plunged headlong into Q4 and we know what you're thinking: "What's up with ZillionTV?" You know, the company that whetted our appetites with its promise of a "free" (unless you count the one-time $99 setup fee as free, which we don't), ad-based streaming content and whose finely rendered set-top boxes were due out before the end of the year? According to a hot tip sent to Zatz Not Funny!, the company's pilot program is not only in full swing, but expanding -- that's the good news. Unfortunately, it looks like there is quite a bit of turmoil within the company itself that might serve to delay the device beyond even its new estimated 2010 target date, including: a 30 staff reduction, a new CEO, and the fact that the sexy product renders have been superseded by a box that looks, well, about as un-sexy as you can get. We'll keep our ears to the ground on this story -- in the meantime, there are a couple more pics after the break to tide you over.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gamedude360 @ Oct 26th 2009 10:36AM
I got an invite to the beta last week. i'm going to get the box maybe next month, i have til december 31st to enter beta, and the points program for each ad you view starts jan 2010
gamedude360 @ Oct 26th 2009 11:12AM
ZillionTV strikes Lionsgate pact
[sb - rdf 4] ZillionTV, the US video-on-demand set-top box start-up, has signed Lionsgate as its latest content partner after last week replacing its CEO.
The company, which last month pushed back its commercial launch date, will gain TV titles including Mad Men and Weeds via the Lionsgate deal, plus movies such as Rambo.
Lionsgate joins the likes of Disney-ABC, 20th Century Fox Television, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros, which all signed up as Zillion partners in the first quarter of this year.
Zillion said in September that it was postponing its consumer debut till the second half of next year and shifting its commercial model beyond relying on distribution through internet service providers.
Last week, the company confirmed that Jack Lawrence was taking over from current CEO Mitch Berman and will oversee Zillion's day-to-day operations and fundraising moving forwards. Berman, a TV veteran who helped set up E!, stays on as executive chairman. The move comes after the company laid off 30% of its staff at the beginning of the month.
Ed Waller
26 Oct 2009
http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=89&article=52631
Cameron @ Oct 26th 2009 3:24PM
This looks like a promising box, I hope they can fullfill their things in time with the correct partners and with a good working box!
I am following for some time already the YuiXX (www.yuixx.com), which is coming from The Netherlands. This really looks promising and uses the Widget channel technology based on the Intel CE 3100. I asked them the launch date and they told me that it will be in the shops before Christmas!
I hope Intel will have the box at CES in January, because this is a "must see" on my CES visit list!