BSkyB will delay introducing its second-generation PVR digibox until a ‘hard launch’ now scheduled for Christmas this year.

This is the second delay for the Pace Micro Technology-built XTV box. Previously the box had been expected last spring, and then was scheduled for an autumn launch – but at last week’s Merrill Lynch TMT conference in London a presentation from Sky’s CFO Martin Stewart referred to Christmas.

NDS, which developed the chipset behind the XTV concept, says it has now licensed its technology to seven platforms around the world. NDS CFO Rick Medlock told the conference that NDS now has 23.3 million digital smart cards installed as at the end of March, has just won an encryption contract to supply KDB in Korea and is currently in a trial with Globo Cabo in Brazil.