Technicolor pulls out of YouView

Technicolor has ruled out producing set top box products for YouView, the BBC backed IPTV platform launching next year.

Broadband TV News reported today that the French manufacturer was out of the running to offer YouView-branded devices, despite being one of the original manufacturers attached the venture. No reason has been supplied for the move.

In a statement, a YouView spokesman later confirmed that Technicolor "has decided to withdraw from YouView set top box development".

He added: "However, they were one of seven manufacturing partners and Youview remains on track for a consumer launch in early 2012."

The spokesman said that YouView will continue to work closely with its other device partners - including Humax and Cisco - towards the aim of having a range of products ready for when the platform goes live.

Last month, YouView published the final core technical specification for its IPTV platform and welcomed four more device partners - Huawei, Pace, Vestel and the Manhattan Technology consortium.

The announcement followed the confirmation of a list of key content partners for YouView, including the surprise addition of Sky after the satellite broadcaster had previously opposed the venture.