Microsoft WebTV Networks and Discovery Interactive Media Offer Enhanced Programming to Fans of TLC’s “Trauma: Life in the ER”

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., and BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 26, 2000 — Microsoft WebTV Networks, Inc,. and Discovery Interactive Media today announced they will air interactive enhancements for TLC’s
“Trauma: Life in the ER”
during its new fall season. Beginning with the world premiere episode on Sept. 26, interactive programming will be available during first-run episodes of the series over the next five weeks.

Now entering its fifth season,
“Trauma: Life in the ER”
is a real life documentary that takes viewers behind the scenes at hospitals around the country to capture the world of real emergency medicine. TLC’s No. 1 prime-time series,
“Trauma: Life in the ER”
offers tense, on-the-scene footage of the action on location at level-one trauma bays across the country. The show airs Tuesdays from 8 to 9 p.m. (ET/PT).

While watching the program, viewers can click on an on-screen visual cue to access the enhanced programming including the following:

  • Doctor bios. A profile of the surgeons, doctors, nurses and technicians who make life-and-death decisions every day

  • In-depth medical information. A viewer handbook to the medical terminology featured on the show is available, including more information on diagnosis and treatment of featured conditions.

  • Patient stories. A peek at some of the cases being treated in the trauma center

  • E-mail. Viewers can sign up for showtime reminders via e-mail.

“America’s fascination with reality television can be fully realized with interactive enhancements,”
said Joe Poletto, vice president of the Network Media Group at WebTV Networks.

WebTV Plus subscribers who watch ‘Trauma: Life in the ER’ can get a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes on in an emergency room.”

“Our goal is to offer TLC’s dedicated fan base of ‘Trauma-philes’ a viewer-controlled interactive experience that complements the narrative flow of these great programs,”
said Jeff Craig, chief technology officer at Discovery Interactive Media.
“Because of that dedicated focus on the consumer experience, we know that WebTV Plus subscribers will enjoy viewing these world premiere episodes, whether they’re leaning forward or leaning back.”

About Discovery Interactive Media

Dedicated to providing television viewers with a rich, content-based experience that gives them control, Discovery Interactive Media expands upon the real-world and real-life programming of Discovery’s television networks. Discovery Interactive Media is a division of Discovery.com, the trusted Internet destination from Discovery Communications Inc., the leading global real-world media and entertainment company.

About Microsoft WebTV Networks

Microsoft WebTV Networks, Inc., is a leading provider of enhanced-TV services using Internet and digital technologies. WebTV Networks offers a range of enhanced-TV services for set-top boxes, satellite products and other TV-related devices. WebTV Networks owns and operates a network of TV services and provides enabling software and hardware reference designs to consumer electronics manufacturers.

WebTV Networks, based in Mountain View, Calif., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corp. Microsoft incorporates WebTV® technologies in the Microsoft® TV software platform, which it licenses to television network operators and consumer electronics manufacturers worldwide.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft and WebTV are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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