ZillionTV has had some trouble moving from being a good idea to an actual product. This has led to some particularly critical articles around the Web concerning the company, its management, and whether ZillionTV will actually ever deliver. ZillionTV is now fighting back, but the fight hasn’t started well.
ZillionTV or ZeroTV?
ZillionTV was announced back in March to some very positive comments and feedback. I myself stated that “good backers, a man in charge who knows the business, and a couple of innovations which could drive the sector forward” meant it had a chance of succeeding, despite entering a crowded market.
However, in September a delay in launching the service was announced. It was originally thought to be due for a launch in late 2009 but that slipped to the second half of 2010, which is nigh on a year later than first expected.
Critical Web Coverage
This led many journalists and bloggers to wonder what the hell is actually happening at the company. One of these bloggers is Brandon Wirtz, who just happens to be a former employee of the company.
Wirtz recently received a Cease & Desist letter from ShawValenza, a law firm acting on behalf of ZillionTV. Unfortunately for the company, rather than heed the warning in the letter, Wirtz used his own personal blog and XYHD.tv to respond to the threats.
Wirtz’ Words
On XYHD, Wirtz discusses how he considers the C&D not to have any basis in law. Rather than sharing confidential information as the letter implies, he believes he’s been very careful in only reporting things which have been reported elsewhere on the Web.
He also discusses his lack of respect for the management of ZillionTV, ponders how the company has kept studios such as Disney and Lionsgate interested, and asks what the actual delay with launching the service is all about.
On BlackWaterOps, Wirtz basically pokes fun at the content of the C&D and how much of a bad idea it is to send one to someone who was only ever going to post the letter on his blog and discuss it in less than complimentary terms.
As Wirtz put it:
Know your enemy. Don’t send a C&D letter to someone who has a bigger hammer than you. The general rule is don’t send a C&D to anyone with a better Alexa rank than you, or someone with more press mentions in the past year than you.
Update: Drugs, Sex & Zillion TV
Brandon has hit ZillionTV again reporting Meth abuse, masturbation and apparent lies from some prominent members of the Zillion team. Certainly doesn’t sound like a healthy internet TV start-up.
