Microsoft Forms First Entertainment Production Studio for the Internet

REDMOND, Wash, Sept. 30, 1996 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the formation of the first multimedia production studio for the Internet. Microsoft® Multimedia Productions, known as M 3 P, is the development arm of the new MSN
™
, The Microsoft Network, formed to bring independently produced entertainment programming to the Internet online service.

With more than 1.5 million members today, MSN continues to experience consistent and steady growth as it prepares to migrate to the Internet. Later this fall, MSN will become the first online service to debut on the World Wide Web when the network showcases its new services, original programming and features designed to enable members to easily navigate and explore the best the Internet has to offer.

“We believe that the best of the Internet has yet to be invented,”
said Bob Bejan, executive producer of The Microsoft Network.

MSN offers producers a place to see their ideas brought to life in a way that can reach millions of people. M 3 P is working with independent producers who are defining how entertainment exists on the Internet, similar to the way sitcom, drama and news magazine formats have been defined for television.”

The M 3 P studio will serve as a means for the most innovative independent producers to take advantage of the financial and distribution resources of MSN. The studio is working with producers, writers, actors, comedians, editors, journalists and artists to create exciting programs for the next generation of online entertainment.

“The union of MSN and R/GA Interactive pools the creative development, design and production talent of R/GA with the vast technical resources and marketing prowess of Microsoft in a way that not only will define a new medium but a new industry,”
said Robert M. Greenberg, chairman and CEO of R/GA Interactive, which developed and is currently producing Netwits, an innovative multiplayer game that will debut on MSN in December.
“R/GA, Bob Bejan and the people at MSN have a matched vision for this new business model.”

Producers interested in submitting a proposal can find more information on the M 3 P Web site at http://www.m3p.MSN.com/, available in October 1996 .

M 3 P is based in Redmond, Wash., with offices in Los Angeles and New York. Studio executives have experience in film, television and new media, in addition to interactive software development. Proposals will be evaluated monthly by the M 3 P development team, with a few to be selected for pilot production and/or launch on MSN.

MSN is the third-largest online service worldwide, offering high-quality information, entertainment and communications on the Internet. With the Web-based version, MSN will also make available hundreds of special-interest bulletin boards and such online services and programming as the Encarta® multimedia encyclopedia, Expedia
™
travel service, Star Trek Continuum
™
, Slate
™
online magazine, CarPoint
™
car-buying guide, and up-to-date news and information from MSNBC News. The MSN home page can be reached at (http://www.MSN.com/) .

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.

Microsoft, MSN, Encarta, Expedia, Star Trek Continuum, Slate and CarPoint are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and or other countries.

The Microsoft Network is operated by Microsoft Corp. on behalf of Microsoft Network LLC.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.

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