REDMOND, Wash., April 8, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced a joint marketing agreement with broadcast.com inc., making MSN
™
Internet Access a preferred Internet service provider (ISP) on the broadcast.com Web site. Customers of MSN Internet Access tuning in to broadcast.com will experience superior audio and visual performance with the multicast-enabled technology from MSN Internet Access.
Under the terms of the agreement, MSN Internet Access will be heavily integrated on broadcast.com and will promote its Internet services through a variety of broadcast.com’s interactive multimedia Web advertising services. An MSN Internet Access button will appear throughout the broadcast.com Web site, and MSN Internet Access will be recommended to customers seeking high-quality dial-up access to the Internet. In addition, broadcast.com will include custom promotions for MSN Internet Access in select audio gateway ads and program channels where multicast technology is especially important to consumers. For example, consumers accessing programming that is available via a multicast feed will see an advertisement that describes the enhanced performance provided by MSN Internet Access.
“This agreement will combine broadcast.com’s unparalleled multimedia programming with our top-rated Internet access service to benefit consumers everywhere,”
said Will Diefenbach, group product manager for MSN Internet Access.
“It’s just another example of how Microsoft is making it easier for consumers to get things done online.”
“As the leading aggregator and broadcaster of streaming media programming on the Web, broadcast.com is ideal for MSN Internet Access to promote its multicast-enabled service,”
said Henry Heflich, chief technology officer of broadcast.com.
“Multicasting allows a smooth streaming media experience for users during high-demand live events, and we’re excited to be working with MSN Internet Access to allow consumers to take advantage of our multicast content.”
Multicasting requires no additional end-user configurations and offers users a more reliable source of streaming content using less bandwidth than unicast broadcasts. Because MSN Internet Access and broadcast.com both use multicast technology, customers of MSN Internet Access will have access to video and audio programming available only to multicast-enabled ISPs and their users. In addition, customers receive a higher bit rate stream, creating a smoother overall online experience. Both of these factors will help give customers of MSN Internet Access higher-quality streaming audio and video.
About MSN Internet Access
MSN Internet Access has been steadily improving its features and performance for customers. In the last year, MSN Internet Access has increased its modem capacity by more than 40 percent and has added nationwide support of V.90, the accepted standard for 56Kbps modems. MSN Internet Access is ranked No. 1 in customer satisfaction, among the largest national ISPs, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 1998 Internet Customer Satisfaction Study. Customers can order a free* one-month trial of MSN Internet Access by visiting http://free.MSN.com/ or by calling (800) FREE-MSN (373-3676).
MSN Internet Access is part of the MSN network of Internet services that helps people better organize the Web around what’s important to them. The network of MSN services, located on the Web at MSN.com ( http://MSN.com/ ), helps people easily stay in touch with friends and colleagues, make smart and secure purchasing decisions, and get more done. MSN offers award-winning e-mail functionality; personal communications services; customizable access to news; popular sites for travel, investing, automotive services, shopping and more; an online community; a Web search engine and directories; and top-rated Internet access.
About Broadcast.com
Broadcast.com (Nasdaq
“BCST”
) is the leading aggregator and broadcaster of streaming media programming on the Web with the network infrastructure and expertise to deliver or
“stream”
hundreds of live and on-demand audio and video programs over the Internet or intranets to hundreds of thousands of users. The broadcast.com Web sites offer a large and comprehensive selection of programming, including sports, talk and music radio, television, business events, full-length CDs, news, video, commentary, and full-length audiobooks, serving more than 800,000 unique users per day.
Broadcast.com broadcasts on the Internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and its programming includes more than 385 radio stations and networks, 40 television stations and cable networks, and game broadcasts and other programming for over 420 college and professional sports teams. Broadcast.com also provides Internet and intranet broadcasting services to businesses and other organizations, including turnkey production of live and archived press conferences, earnings conference calls, investor conferences, trade shows, stockholder meetings, product introductions, training sessions, distance learning telecourses and media
events. For more information on broadcast.com and its live and on-demand programming, visit http://www.broadcast.com/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
* For users of the Windows® 95 or higher operating system only. A one-month free unlimited trial is available to new members of MSN Internet Access in the 50 United States and the District of Columbia only. A credit card is required. Local phone and/or long distance toll charges may apply. Local market network activity and capacity may affect access availability. Offer expires June 1999.
Microsoft, MSN and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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