No 360 IPTV this year?

Microsoft has issued a statement saying that IPTV functionality will not be included in the fall 360 firmware update.

It has also suggested that the service might not be launched this year, as was originally promised by Bill Gates at the CES show earlier in 2007, as the new technology will only be given to service providers by Christmas.

"Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) features will only be available from the Xbox 360 through a service provider who has deployed Xbox 360 with Microsoft Mediaroom (IPTV) services," MS told Gamespot in a statement.

"Xbox 360 with Microsoft Mediaroom (IPTV), will be available to service providers by the end of the year. Microsoft's IPTV service providers will ultimately determine the timing of Xbox 360 with Microsoft Mediaroom deployments."

Rumours that IPTV would be included in the looming firmware spiralled from a customer whose console was exposed to the new features while being serviced

"This was an isolated incident where these features were inadvertently exposed while the customer's console was being serviced and is unrelated to the fall update," continued the statement.