MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 25, 1999 — WebTV Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of Microsoft Corp., today announced that president and co-founder Steve Perlman is leaving the company at the end of the month. Perlman, a pioneer in mass-market multimedia and communications technology, developed the WebTV® concept in March 1995, and established WebTV Networks shortly thereafter with Bruce Leak and Phil Goldman. Leak becomes president of WebTV Networks and a member of Microsoft’s executive staff reporting to Jon DeVaan, vice president of Microsoft’s Consumer and Commerce Group. Perlman becomes a member of WebTV Networks’ advisory board.
Perlman will take a long-postponed break through the summer and afterward plans to explore new entrepreneurial endeavors.
“On behalf of Microsoft, I’d like to thank Steve for his amazing creativity and leadership in making WebTV what it is today,” DeVaan said. “Bruce will provide the vision and leadership we need to continue to deliver on the future television experience, and we look forward to his valuable, strategic input as a member of the executive staff team at Microsoft.”
“WebTV has been the most incredible adventure of my career,” Perlman said. “In just four short years, WebTV has redefined television, not only by integrating the Internet and interactive programming, but by laying the groundwork for 21st century television – when all programming will be interactive and on-demand, and Internet connectivity will be a given. WebTV Networks has solid management in place, huge momentum behind its current products, relationships with top-tier companies throughout the world, and amazing new products in its development pipeline. And WebTV has the most awesome team ever assembled in Silicon Valley. I’ll really miss everyone, but I’m confident that WebTV is in great shape to take on the future.”
“Steve has done an excellent job of positioning WebTV to define 21st century television,” Leak said. “We all will miss him but are excited about our opportunity to continue to fulfill his vision.”
Leak was formerly the general manager of WebTV Networks’ Service Division and also has served as chief operating officer for the company. Before WebTV, Leak held management and development positions at Rocket Science Games Inc. and General Magic Inc. He began his Silicon Valley career at Apple Computer Inc., bringing multimedia to the desktop computer as the creator and engineering team leader for QuickTime and 32-bit QuickDraw. A graduate of Stanford University, Leak holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering.
About WebTV Networks, Inc. and Microsoft
WebTV Networks, Inc., the leading Internet TV service, operates the Microsoft® WebTV Network TM service and designs WebTV Internet Terminals and Receivers. The WebTV Network service is available in the United States, Canada and Japan and has more than 800,000 subscribers. WebTV Networks, Inc., based in Mountain View, Calif., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corp.
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.
The subscription fee for the WebTV service is a flat monthly fee, depending on the type of service. The service is available as a local call in most areas. Contact your local telephone company to determine if toll charges may apply.
Microsoft, WebTV and WebTV Network 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.
