Microsoft through a Securities and Exchange Commission filing today said it has sold its shares in Comcast. The move pulls about 150.9 million shares out of the cable provider and practically cuts Microsoft's influence in the firm. Reasons aren't given to the SEC for the quick exit, though the news comes just as Microsoft has curbed real estate expansion in an attempt to reduce costs without shedding employees.

The original share stake was made in a bid to establish Microsoft as a major force in two-way TV, including the use of Microsoft's software for some DVR features on the cable TV network. Since then, however, the shift has been towards general Internet-based TV through services such as Microsoft's Mediaroom as well as direct downloads through online stores on the Xbox 360 and Zune software. [via CNET]