Qplay Calls it Quits

19 Jul, 2014 By: Chris Tribbey

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Qplay, the streaming video service and device launched by the co-founders of TiVo in February, is closing its doors, the company announced July 19.

The service, which allowed users to curate video content from around the Web and put their favorite streams in one place, will end July 25. Those who purchased the company’s $49 adapter can request a refund via the company’s website.

“We did our best, and we’re sorry this is the end for Qplay,” the company said in a statement. “We truly enjoyed bringing you the best videos from around the Internet. We had fun building and using Qplay and hope that you did too. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to keep developing and running the service.”

In June the company attempted to ditch its hardware strategy, becoming an app-based service for other companies' hardware. But the shift was apparently too little too late, with the lack of support for Netflix, Hulu Plus or other major services a major drawback, according to Michael Greeson, president and director of research for The Diffusion Group.

“The net-to-TV hardware space is extremely cutthroat, with thin margins and too many brand powerhouses swimming the waters,” he wrote in a blog post in June. “Qplay could have spared millions in wasted capital had it listened to a simple refrain we’ve echoed for years: If your goal is to offer a competitive streaming video service, forget about hardware altogether, as it only further burdens sales of the core service.

“In the last decade, this mistake has been repeated numerous times, leaving a number of well-intentioned victims on the side of the road.”

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