Beyond our control

Since we reported that Houston’s Optical Entertainment Network had abruptly and mysteriously discontinued service earlier this month, many of you have contacted me wanting more information on what had happened to the company.

Get in line.

The only official communication from the company has been its voicemail message citing “circumstances beyond our control.”

But I’ve spoken with a number of sources, from both inside and outside the company, who are familiar with the details of OEN’s saga. Through those conversations, plenty of details have emerged--which you can read here--that point to a mix of factors weighing on the company. No one decision, strategy or person is to blame, it seems to me, but a combination of factors seems to have produced a lethal mix: Technology debates led to management turnover, and management turnover created further problems, all of which led to the ultimate problem -- an inability to secure more funding.

It’s an incomplete picture. There’s still much more to be said, and some things I have not reported because I’m still working to confirm them. But I’d love to hear more. If you have any details to share -- about OEN or even your OWN company’s internal battles, e-mail me at ed.gubbins@penton.com.