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24 May, 2000
Microsoft appoints itv|world as Vendor for New Australian and
Singapore Windows Media Player "Media Guides"
Australian and Singapore Versions of Media Guide Debut Today, Showcasing
as Vendor Australia's Leading Broadband Content Creator, itv|world
Sydney, Australia - May 24, 2000 - itv|world today announced that
it has been appointed by Microsoft as the Vendor for the new Singapore
and Australian Media Guides of the Microsoft Windows Media Player
7, supplying a wide range of exciting broadband content to the rapidly
growing community of Windows media users. Itv|world, one of a select
number of nominated Vendors throughout the world, will manage the
presence of more than 30 other Australian and Singaporean broadband
content providers.
The Australian and Singapore Media Guides are a feature of Windows
Media Player 7, offering links to specific news and entertainment
content directly from the media player itself and showcasing the
best locally relevant audio and video content in the Microsoft Windows
Media format.
More than 100 million licensed copies of Windows Media Player have
been distributed worldwide. Experts estimate that by 2003 there
will be more than 700 million people online with 35% of these actively
streaming video and audio to their PC, TV or other Internet-connected
appliance.
Itv|world, Australia's leading broadband news and content creation
company, has pioneered the creation of innovative Internet content
in the region, producing live and on demand audio and video streaming
media for leading TV, entertainment and corporate clients throughout
Australia and Asia.
"We are very excited to be working with Microsoft and to be a part
of the new Australian Media Guide," said itv|world Business Development
Manager, John Byrne. "itv|world's Windows Media TV-style technology,
news and entertainment products are already a leading showcase for
the high quality audio and video technology of Windows Media in
Australia. The Media Guide Player will go further and provide the
smoothest experience for both narrowband and broadband users, whether
they come to the player via a dialup modem connection or via cable,
satellite, ADSL, and ultimately datacasting. This agreement demonstrates
our continuing commitment to a leading role in the convergence of
traditional media and the Internet," he said.
Windows Media Player is the fastest growing player for digital
audio and video content in a variety of formats, including the industry-leading
Windows Media Format, which offers CD-quality audio in half the
file size of MP3. Windows Media Player 7, now available in beta,
represents a dramatic advance in ease of use for mainstream computer
users, with all-in-one access to local files and online media, integrated
jukebox and player capabilities, audio enhancements and customizable
"skins" and visualisations to personalise the digital media experience.
The player is available for free download at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/.
"This is a great opportunity for both Microsoft and itv|world,"
Microsoft Australia's Windows Media Business Development Manager,
Mr Frank Arrigo, said today. "This guide will show off the most
exciting Australian Internet content and give all Web users a place
to interact with new developments in streaming media," he said.
"We are committed to providing a truly international digital media
platform and itv|world brings the top-quality editorial management
and TV news style content products that people in Australia want
most".
For further information please contact:
Mr Frank Arrigo, Business Development Manager
Windows Media Technologies, Microsoft Pty Ltd
frankarr@microsoft.com
Ph: +61 2 9870 2406
or
Charlotte Faunce,
itvworld
charlotte@itvworld.com
Ph: +61 2 9363 5701
Mobile: + 0407 009217
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