HBO CTO Otto Berkes
HBO CTO Otto Berkes

Otto Berkes, the Microsoft veteran who has worked as HBO’s chief technology officer for nearly four years, has resigned from the position. The move comes after HBO decided to use a third-party platform rather than rely on in-house development teams for a new streaming service that will let viewers to watch HBO without cable.

GeekWire has obtained a copy of the internal HBO memo in which Berkes explains his decision to leave.

“Recently HBO’s management decided to partner with a third party to assist HBO in bringing our OTT service to market in 2015. This is a change in direction from what I planned with HBO and the approach will not utilize my overall capabilities,” writes Berkes in the memo. “Therefore, I feel that this is the right time for me to move on from HBO so that I am able to fully pursue my passion building world-class technology teams, products, and businesses.”

Berkes was an 18-year Microsoft veteran who was a founding member of the Xbox team and led Microsoft’s UltraMobile PC initiative, an early effort in tablet computers. He moved to New York nearly four years ago to work for HBO. He says in the memo that he is proud of the investments made during his tenure, including building out HBO’s streaming platform and the creation of a software development center in Seattle.

It’s unclear how his departure will affect the Seattle office, although based on the information currently available it sounds like the staff will still be key to getting the new service up and running. The launch is expected to take place in April.

A Fortune article earlier today, which we reported on, indicated that the Seattle office was plagued by internal squabbles, which resulted in product delays and outages. A spokesperson declined to comment on the report.

Here’s the full memo:

Almost four years ago I moved to New York for the opportunity to build something truly transformative for HBO’s business and the media industry. And we have done that. HBO has been invested in building out its streaming platform since the initial launch of HBO GO in 2010. This investment, which includes the creation of a Seattle software development center, has enabled HBO GO to serve many millions of customers and to grow to be one of the most popular streaming services in the U.S.

Recently HBO’s management decided to partner with a third party to assist HBO in bringing our OTT service to market in 2015. This is a change in direction from what I planned with HBO and the approach will not utilize my overall capabilities. Therefore, I feel that this is the right time for me to move on from HBO so that I am able to fully pursue my passion building world-class technology teams, products, and businesses.

I am incredibly proud of everything that the entire technology group has achieved together over the years.

My best wishes to the team and for HBO’s future success.

— Otto —

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