Microsoft Strengthens Commitment to Enhanced TV Arena with Launch of European Content Developer Program at IBC2000

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, Sept. 8, 2000 — Today at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2000, Microsoft Corp. announced that its Microsoft® TV Content Developer Program is now available to Enhanced TV developers worldwide after its successful reception over the last three months in the United States.

With hundreds of companies already signed up, Microsoft has extended the comprehensive program globally. It is designed to help content producers and developers seize the opportunity of Enhanced TV. Initially launched in the United States in June 2000, the Microsoft TV Content Developer Program builds on Microsoft’s long history of developing and supporting an evolving community of third-party companies that build on and add value to Microsoft platform technologies.

To kick off the program in Europe, Microsoft will be hosting the Microsoft TV Partner Summit on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at IBC2000, offering developers the chance to learn how to produce interactive TV content.

Window of Opportunity Opens Wide
According to a January 2000 report from Deutsche Bank, more than 250 million Enhanced TV set-top boxes will be installed worldwide by 2004.

Microsoft has been working with network operators around the world to help them take advantage of this opportunity. Microsoft has secured commitments for 15 million units of Microsoft TV software with network operators who want to deliver their own version of Enhanced TV service to consumers globally using the Microsoft TV platform.

Forecasts like these make it clear that opportunity looms large for content developers and cable companies over the next few years,

said Alan Yates, director of marketing for the TV Platform Group at Microsoft.

Our goal is to deliver the best TV platform for creating and delivering Enhanced TV content and to be the best company to work with for delivering services, bar none.

The B.B.C. is pleased to be a member of Microsoft’s content development group. This continues our relationship with Microsoft in pioneering new concepts for enhanced and interactive services on Digital TV,

said David King, chief technology officer at the B.B.C.

Microsoft TV Content Developer Program
The Microsoft TV Content Developer Program is designed to educate and offer resources to anyone — including television producers, production companies, Web developers, advertisers, networks, studios and broadcasters – wanting to make Enhanced TV content and applications. The program offers development and content creation tools, including the just-released Content Developer Kit (CDK), development instructions including online and offline training, resources and education to create Enhanced TV content.

The Microsoft TV CDK is designed as an easy-to-use guide for creating interactive content and contains production and design guidelines, reusable code, templates, sample applications and development tools to help developers deliver a next-generation TV experience to the widest possible audience. Content developers can utilize the kit to quickly and easily produce their own programming for receivers running Microsoft TV software and other receivers based on emerging industry standards. Among other things, the CDK includes the Microsoft TV Simulator and the ATVEF Player, both of which enable producers to begin testing and delivering their unique designs today.

Those interested in more information about the CDK, courses or joining the program can visit the Microsoft TV platform Web site at

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