MSN Video Launches in Beta
On-Demand Video and User-Generated Content Combine in Unique Offering
London – UK – 27 September 2007 - Microsoft (http://uk.msn.com) today unveils its new video platform across the MSN portal and Windows Live services. Launching in a beta version to allow users to experiment with the new service and offer feedback, the video offering at http://video.msn.com/video.aspx/?mkt=en-gb includes a new version of its video-on- demand channel, MSN Video, which now includes Soapbox, the user-generated content channel. New developments also include video which can be viewed within other MSN Channels, and the ability to share video in the popular Windows Live Messenger and Spaces blogging services.
The video-on-demand channel will showcase videos from partners including ITN, Control Room, MyMovies, Reuters, National Geographic and new content partners the BBC and Video Jug.
MSN Video offers the following new features for viewers:
| • | Messenger users can now share, view and comment on their favourite user-generated videos in Soapbox simultaneously with their friends, via Windows Live Messenger which has 280 million active accounts worldwide. |
| • | Powerful new video presentation tools allow viewers to browse and watch videos at the same time across categories including news, movies, music, comedy and lifestyle, without interrupting the video stream they are currently watching. |
| • | Viewers can also upload, watch and share their own user-generated video content with others via Soapbox. |
| • | An uncluttered layout, clear navigation plus re-sizeable screen width for use across multiple screens, allows viewers to browse more clips at a size that suits them – including full screen. An enhanced search tool collates results from key content providers, user-generated video from Soapbox and from the web. |
| • | The new playlist feature gives the viewer total control over their viewing experience. They can store up to 9 video clips in a playlist to come back to and even share their playlists with friends. |
“We hope readers will take advantage of bringing their Hotmail, Messenger, blogging and other tools into the same view as their news and entertainment. “
Peter Bale, Executive Producer for Microsoft UK, comments “What is striking about the new MSN Video player is the quality of the screen display, the crispness of the video and the range of content available. We think the new service – plus the fun of Soapbox – shows we’re anticipating the hunger of today’s Internet user for video.”
“As well as being a one-stop video offering, we’ve seamlessly integrated the service with our communications services so people can engage with other video viewers and share content.
“Video will be everywhere across the MSN portal and the Video section will tie it all together, whether it’s the latest news and sports clips, film and music clips, or simply checking out user-generated content.”
About MSN UK and Windows Live
MSN is a division of the Microsoft Corporation
MSN UK (http://uk.msn.com) attracts more than 21 million unique users in the UK per month. MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide.
Windows Live, a new set of personal Internet services and software, is designed to bring together in one place all the relationships, information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features across their PC, devices and the Web.
Windows Live and MSN provide a number of world class innovative communication and information services including:
| • | MSN Hotmail, the UK's most popular free web-based e-mail service with over 11.4 million users in the UK (Nielsen//NetRatings June 2007) and over 230 million active accounts worldwide (MSN Internal Data) |
| • | Windows Live Messenger, the UK's number one instant messaging service on the internet with14.9 million monthly users (Nielsen//NetRatings June 2007) and over 205 million active users worldwide (MSN Internal data) |
| • | Live Search, one of the UK’s top search sites with 5.6 million users. (Nielsen//NetRatings June 2007). Live Search is available worldwide and in 13 languages. |
| • | Windows Live Spaces, one of the leading blogging and social networking sites in the UK, has over 2.5 million users in the UK (Nielsen//NetRatings June 2007). Windows Live Spaces is one of the fastest growing communication networks in the world. |
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.
| • | Visit the Microsoft UK homepage for further information on Microsoft products |
Contact information
Journalists should contact The Microsoft Press Centre. Telephone 0870 20 77377, lines are open 9.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday.
Customer enquiries should be directed to Microsoft on 0870 6010 100. Opening hours are 8.00am to 6.00pm.
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