Microsoft TV Launches Cable Software

REDMOND, Wash. -- Microsoft Corp. today announced it will unveil the latest version of its digital cable software platform, Microsoft(r) TV Foundation Edition, at the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week in Las Vegas (Booth No. 8323 in the Central Hall). Microsoft TV Foundation Edition version 1.5 enhances the consumer viewing experience by providing fully integrated support for high-definition television (HDTV) and digital video recording (DVR), while enabling network operators to better market and merchandize new and existing digital cable services including video on demand (VOD).

Microsoft also will unveil Microsoft TV Best Bets, a new digital TV application for Foundation 1.5 that helps consumers more easily find VOD movies of interest by recommending titles based on viewing history, providing critics' choices, and highlighting popular titles that are soon to be removed from the service.

These latest enhancements to the digital cable software family demonstrate Microsoft TV's commitment to helping cable operators get more value from their digital video investments using today's hardware and network infrastructure.

"With Microsoft TV Foundation Edition 1.5 and Microsoft TV Best Bets we continue to innovate in the areas that matter most to our MSO customers," said Moshe Lichtman, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV Division at Microsoft. "With Microsoft TV, network operators now have more opportunities than ever to merchandize the premium services that differentiate their offerings from competitive satellite services, while consumers get a seamless digital cable experience that spans a full range of features including high-definition TV, video on demand and digital video recording."

Microsoft Corp.