ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 6, 2002 — Microsoft Corp. released information today at BroadbandPlus — The New Western Show confirming that both Uvision LLC and Willamette Broadband LLC will deploy the Microsoft®
TV Interactive Program Guide (IPG) across their cable systems. As part of the agreement, Microsoft TV IPG will be rolled out to all digital TV subscribers of Uvision and Willamette Broadband beginning in the first quarter of 2003.
“Microsoft TV IPG allows us to provide consumers a significantly better experience for a host of digital TV services, both now and in the future,”
said Neal Schnog, president of Uvision.
“The cable industry needs to continue innovating, and Microsoft TV IPG will help us grow and expand our service in new ways that are important for our long-term success. The flexibility of Microsoft TV IPG means we can start with a better service now and build the interactive services of the future over time.”
Microsoft TV IPG improves consumers’ digital TV experience by providing speedy scrolling and channel tuning, making it faster, easier and more intuitive for viewers to find their favorite TV shows and customize their television viewing. Microsoft TV IPG also allows cable operators to deliver more advanced services such as video on demand (VOD) that are seamlessly integrated into the guide experience. Microsoft TV IPG is ACADIA-validated for use on Motorola DCT1000, DCT1200 and DCT2000 set-top boxes.
“We are excited to be working with Uvision and Willamette Broadband in deploying Microsoft TV IPG,”
said Tim Fritzley, vice president of sales and services for the Microsoft TV Division.
“Uvision and Willamette Broadband are motivated to deliver the best digital TV service to their subscribers. They have a crack management team. Together, we expect to show the value that state-of-the-art digital cable services can bring to consumers and the network operator.”
Uvision and Willamette Broadband serve residents in and around the Canby, Woodburn, Stayton and Sheridan, Ore., area, just south of Portland. Combined, the two cable systems have more than 20,000 subscribers.
About the Microsoft TV Platform
Microsoft TV is a family of standards-based client and server software products that enables the delivery of new enhanced digital services through cable, terrestrial and satellite networks across a variety of TV devices, including the full range of set-top boxes. The Microsoft TV platform provides value to network operators by enabling new revenue-generating services, including VOD, interactive program guides, digital video recording, enhanced programming, e-mail and more. More than 2,500 leading providers of services, programming hardware and software for digital TV have chosen to work with Microsoft TV. A leader in the digital TV industry, Microsoft is deployed or in trial today with network operators around the world. More information about Microsoft TV can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/tv/ .
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 is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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