Microsoft Delays Xbox Live Primetime

Microsoft is pushing its Xbox Live Primetime Channel to 2009, meaning players will have to wait to start playing virtual game shows.

Microsoft has decided to delay the launch of its Xbox Live Primetime Channel from the fall of 2008 until spring of 2009. The Xbox Live Primetime Channel was slated to be part of the New Xbox Experience—due to launch November 19—and enable players to participate in live game shows that would be “on” at regularly schedule times: players would be able to compete against each other. The service was due to launch with a version of the 1 vs. 100 game show created by Endemol, which would pit one Xbox Live player against 100 others in a test of knowledge—for real prizes, not just on-screen trophies.

Now, Forbes is reporting Microsoft has decided to delay Primetime’s launch until early 2009, citing technical concerns and a desire to put more polish on the service. According to the report, Microsoft is still dedicated to the concept, and may even be able to launch with more games when the service finally debuts.

The news is being read two ways by industry watchers: some praise Microsoft for deciding not to roll out a glitchy, half-baked service that would tarnish both the Xbox platform and Microsoft’s content partners; others lament that Microsoft is missing an opportunity to capitalize on a surprisingly weak fall television season by converting couch potatoes to new, revenue-generating games and services. By launching in the spring, Microsoft will have to take Primetime up against a spate of new television programming, including new installments of hit serials like Lost and 24.