Microsoft kicked out of CES, reveals insider

Microsoft will no longer be a part of the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) starting 2013.

The company recently announced its plans to withdraw its participation in the world's biggest consumer technology. The upcoming 2012 CES will be the company’s last as holder of the keynote slot.

An anonymous source revealed to Gigaom that Microsoft’s decision was, in fact, forced upon it.

Apparently, Consumer Electronics Association, the body that organizes the Consumer Electronics Show, wanted Microsoft to give up future keynote slots. In retaliation, the tech major decided to exit alltogether.

The source said, “Microsoft didn’t pull out of the keynote – they were kicked out. Big difference.” 

Initially, Microsoft’s decision was cited as its own. Then, CEA released a statement saying the decision was a mutual one. The press statemant said:

“Both CEA and Microsoft have agreed that the time has come to end this great run, and so Microsoft will not have a keynote at the 2013 CES…Microsoft has also informed us that, although their plans for the 2013 CES are not yet finalized, they will not request the Central Hall exhibit space that they have used in the past years.”

With this new revelation, it’s hard to pinpoint whose decision the move really is. The Verge was able to dig up alternative theory. 

Apparently, CEA wanted Microsoft to sign on its slot for the next few years and Microsoft just didn’t think it was worth its while, especially as it would have had to pay a lot more than before to keep its slot.

The company felt it just wasn’t getting enough of a return on its investment to sign up for the next few years.