Why is Microsoft being singled out here? What's the context?
The context is that the Xbox One is rapidly being cemented into second place. In other words, if the PS4 keeps its current momentum, the Xbox One will never be the market leader. From a business point of view, if your 5 year product will spend 5 years behind another product, you
might need to rethink your product's lifespan.
By ending the life of the Xbox One earlier than planned, Microsoft will be able to introduce a console that is a) Technologically superior to the PS4 and b) Distanced from the bad reputation of the Xbox One platform. To put that in different terms, Microsoft would be hoping to do what Sony did with the PS4; introduce the successor to their current platform that has a clear, gamer-focused message.
With that said, the OP has a fundamentally broken understanding of how conglomerates work. Sony is absolutely in muddy financial waters, however, Sony failing =/= PlayStation failing. It would be unbelievably foolish of Microsoft to think that Sony (the parent) losing money or outspending Sony will reverse the Xbox One's fortunes in the market. It's not about who has the most ads anymore - it's about why the PS4 is outselling the Xbox One, significantly, on a global basis.
Again, it has to be stated - Microsoft isn't run by fools. They know that the Xbox One is losing valuable marketshare to the PS4. They know that games such as the MCC and Sunset Overdrive will not make the Xbox One the go-to platform for next-gen gaming. They know that the Xbox One is hobbling along in Europe and done in Japan. They know that if Sony drops the price on the PS4 then it's
officially game over for the Xbox One's first-place aspirations in NA. Microsoft know all of this, so the question is, if they know all of this - what are they going
to do?
That's why proposing an early termination of the Xbox One platform isn't as far-fetched of an idea as some might think. It's a big risk move that if executed
properly could get the Xbox brand back on track. Keep in mind that an early termination =/= killing the Xbox One next week. It simply means that the Nextbox/ Xbox Two is introduced much earlier than planned.