MSN TV Teams with CinemaNow To Stream Movies From the Web to TV

The MSN® TV division (www.msntv.com) of Microsoft Corp. and CinemaNow Inc. (www.cinemanow.com), a provider in broadband video-on-demand (VOD) distribution and technology, plan to offer broadband customers of MSN TV the ability to stream CinemaNow content directly from the Internet to an ordinary TV set by using the MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player with service from Microsoft.

MSN TV intends to collaborate with CinemaNow to optimize its Internet-delivered digital movie and television content for TV viewing. The new functionality is expected to be made available to MSN TV 2 subscribers in spring 2005 as part of a free automatic upgrade.

"We're delighted to make our library of more than 2,000 movies available to MSN TV subscribers," said Curt Marvis, chief executive officer of CinemaNow. "With so few digital media receivers capable of replaying Windows Media DRM-protected video content, working with MSN TV is a natural and logical fit and, more importantly, a great benefit to both of our user groups.

The upgrade will include support for Microsoft® Windows Media® 10 Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology, which will help ensure that customers can play Windows Media-protected content.

"We know people prefer to watch movies and videos in the comfort of their living rooms rather than being tied to their computer screens," said Sam Klepper, general manager of MSN TV at Microsoft. "Together, MSN TV and CinemaNow make it easy and convenient for consumers to watch Internet-based Windows Media-compatible movies and video on a TV by using the MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player."

CinemaNow is a leader in the authorized downloading and streaming of feature films via the Internet with content partners including 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lions Gate Films, MGM, Miramax, Sony and Warner Bros.