> Comcast will close its Canadian TVWorks interactive TV development office later this month, laying off about 125 employees at the location and consolidating the work performed there at its offices in Radnor, Penn. and Mill Valley, Calif. Story.
> The Chinese, through a state-backed research institute, of course, predict that the triple play will generate $100 billion in new revenue opportunities over the next several years, including network upgrades, set-top box development, information system construction and broadband technology upgrades as well as sales and services and terminals. Story.
> 3D TV isn't the only thing happening with the World Cup. Samsung and Betfair TV have partnered to offer what they call the "world's first sports-better application on Samsung Internet-connected HDTVs." Story.
> Michael Wheeler, vice president of NTT America's Global IP Network business unit is slated to go over-the-top this week and speak on "Leveraging Infrastructure Assets to Get with the Program" of content delivery and Internet infrastructure for over-the-top applications. He'll make his presentation at the OTTcon East conference in Atlanta where cable operators, no doubt, will listen in. News release.
And finally... The first batch must have worked pretty well. WorldGate said it has received a second purchase order for 26,000 units of its digital video phone from ACN, a direct seller of telecommunications services operating in 20 countries. ACN has agreed to purchase a minimum of 300,000 video phones on an OEM basis over two years. News release.