|
Microsoft, CBS team in TV
|
 |
September 7, 2000: 2:34 p.m. ET
TV network to use Microsoft's WebTV for interactive programming
|
NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Viacom unit CBS Television said Thursday it will use Microsoft's WebTV Network's interactive programming under an alliance beginning in the 2000 to 2001 season.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Subscribers of Microsoft's WebTV Plus or UltimateTV services will be able to watch 500 hours of CBS offerings including dramas, comedies, movies and sports programs with the addition of interactive e content, such as program updates, sports information, live polling, cast biographies and e-commerce and chat functionality through remote control access.
 Mountain View, Calif.-based WebTV Networks provides Internet access services through a set-top box that works with TVs and EchoStar's DISHPlayer 500. The set-top boxes are the product of a joint effort between Thomason Multimedia (TMS: Research, Estimates) and Sony (SNE: Research, Estimates).
WebTV is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft. The companies said the new service will be promoted on the television network.
"With the success of 'Survivor' and 'Big Brother,' we've seen how interactive elements can supplement the television viewing experience," said Leslie Moonves, president and chief executive of CBS Television.
In afternoon trading, Microsoft (MSFT: Research, Estimates) shares rose 69 cents, to $70.12, while CBS parent Viacom (VIA: Research, Estimates) shed $1.44, or 2 percent, to $63.69.
Microsoft unveils new handheld PCs
Separately, Microsoft announced Thursday its Windows-powered Handheld PC 2000 at the DEMOMobile 2000 tradeshow.
The fourth generation of the HandHeld was developed by Microsoft and hardware partners Hewlett-Packard (HWP: Research, Estimates), NEC Computers and MainStreet Networks.
The HandHeld includes features such as the Pocket Outlook productivity tool for e-mail and calendar applications and Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Microsoft's Internet Explorer 4.0 browser will enable users to connect to the Internet and supports Web programming languages HTML 4.0, XML, XSL, DHTML, Jscript software and GIF animation. Also included is the Windows Media Player that works with Windows Media and MP3 digital audio files.
Microsoft's partners will ship their own versions of the Handheld, including Hewlett-Packard's HP Jornada 720 Handheld PC, which will be available this month; MainStreet Network's Clio C-10, available in the fourth quarter this year and NEC's MobilePro line, release date to be announced. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Microsoft
Viacom
|
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
External sites are not endorsed by CNNmoney
|
|
|
|
 |
|
