Microsoft moves in on cable TV

Dom · Jun 9, 2003, 12:50 PM

The company unveiled the software at an annual US cable industry meeting on Monday.

The new package, called Microsoft TV Foundation, is designed to make it easier for cable customers to access videos and other services on demand.

"This is a big milestone for Microsoft TV," said Ed Graczyk, marketing director of the group's TV division.

"We're hoping this is an announcement that gets the industry excited."

Domination

This is not the first time Microsoft has tried to make an impact in cable TV.

It invested $5bn (£3bn) in AT&T Broadband in 1999 and was planning to install its software in AT&T's next-generation cable boxes.

But after a trial, AT&T decided not to use the system, mainly because of the cost.

Microsoft said its new software tools were designed to run on lower-priced cable boxes.

They could also eventually run on set-top boxes manufactured by different companies, which is not possible today.

Microsoft had a rough start working with the cable industry, according to Sean Badding, an analyst at Carmel Group.

"There's no question Microsoft wants to become the standard in the industry," he said.

"They want to dominate the cable industry."

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Source: BBC

~~DriveEuro~~ · Jun 9, 2003, 12:53 PM

Wow, before you know it they will be making toilet paper. Then there will be Microsoft brand bedding. After that Microsoft brand food. Wow.

Jun 9, 2003, 12:50 PM	#1
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,942 Rep Power: 0	Microsoft moves in on cable TV The company unveiled the software at an annual US cable industry meeting on Monday. The new package, called Microsoft TV Foundation, is designed to make it easier for cable customers to access videos and other services on demand. "This is a big milestone for Microsoft TV," said Ed Graczyk, marketing director of the group's TV division. "We're hoping this is an announcement that gets the industry excited." Domination This is not the first time Microsoft has tried to make an impact in cable TV. It invested $5bn (£3bn) in AT&T Broadband in 1999 and was planning to install its software in AT&T's next-generation cable boxes. But after a trial, AT&T decided not to use the system, mainly because of the cost. Microsoft said its new software tools were designed to run on lower-priced cable boxes. They could also eventually run on set-top boxes manufactured by different companies, which is not possible today. Microsoft had a rough start working with the cable industry, according to Sean Badding, an analyst at Carmel Group. "There's no question Microsoft wants to become the standard in the industry," he said. "They want to dominate the cable industry." _______________ Source: BBC

Jun 9, 2003, 12:53 PM	#2
~~DriveEuro~~ Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	Wow, before you know it they will be making toilet paper. Then there will be Microsoft brand bedding. After that Microsoft brand food. Wow.