PPStream Withdraws from TCL Internet TV Partnership
CCW.com, 9/17/09
Chinese home electronics manufacturer TCL (000100.SZ) has revealed that it has ceased cooperation with P2P online video service provider PPStream for the MiTV line of internet televisions. Previously, the online video resources viewable through the TCL internet TV sets had been provided by PPStream.
PPStream president Xu Weifeng says the partnership between the two companies ended due to government concerns that PPStream does not have the necessary qualifications to operate internet television services. Xu added that in the short term, PPStream will not make any further efforts to engage in internet TV.
Editor's Note: Earlier this month, Xunlei, which had also partnered with TV set makers in the provision of Internet TV services, announced that it had struck a deal with China Radio International (CRI) to establish a joint venture company, thus solving Xunlei's Internet TV licensing issues (see "Rumor: Xunlei, CRI to Establish JV to Operate Internet TV", MD 9/04/09 issue). CRI, however, quickly denied the claim, saying it had no plans to set up such a joint venture (see "CRI Denies Rumors of Internet TV Venture with Xunlei", MD 9/08/09 issue.
Keywords: consumer electronics content provider government policy regulation law Xu Weifeng television online video PPStream Internet TV 000100.SZ TV set