Sony cuts PS2 Christmas supply in Britain

Sony confirmed Thursday it will not be able to supply the UK with the 200,000 Play Station 2 consoles promised in time for Christmas, cutting its forecast to 165,000.

A Sony spokesman in London blames the 17 percent shortfall on teething problems in the production process but also says that excessive demand in the U.S. and Japan as well as a shortage of components has had an effect. "It's a knock-on effect from the U.S.," says the spokesman. "The principle reason is demand." Full story. -- Will Knight and Julian Boardman, ZDNet UK