Blue Frog Mobile, the mobile ringtones and now mobile-to-tv interactivity player based out of Seattle, has seen much upheaval this year, both on the company level as well as the macro ringtone-sector level. Now, more trouble, as it has cut about 55 employees and shut down a Hispanic music channel called BullaTV that allowed users to send text messages to the TV screen, reports SeattlePI. The company is now focusing on the interactive TV efforts, even though it still remains a player in the shrinking ringtones market.

The story says that majority of the cuts occurred at the company’s operations in Mexico and the Philippines, and staffing at the Seattle headquarters was cut by more than half. The company now employs about 10 people in Seattle and 235 worldwide. CEO Victor Siegel blamed it on the tough U.S. Hispanic marketplace, with competition from Univision and Telemundo.

Also, board member Maha Ibrahim of Canaan Partners stepped down a couple of days ago. Canaan is one of Blue Frog’s largest investors, having participated in the company’s $16 million venture round in 2005. No specific explanation was given by the company. 

• Industry Moves: Blue Frog Media Names Victor Siegel CEO
• BlueFrog Mobile Names New CEO; No M&A For Now
• Blue Frog Mobile Gets $16 Million First Round Funding