Comcast to Conduct Trial of Microsoft TV Software

Reprinted from a Microsoft press release:

Comcast Cable and Microsoft Corp. announced an agreement for the country’s leading cable operator to conduct a trial of Microsoft(r) TV software to deliver new digital TV services to its customers. As previously disclosed at the National Cable & Telecommunications Association annual convention in June, the companies have agreed to trial the Microsoft TV Foundation Edition software, and today they said they will also conduct a limited trial of the Microsoft TV Interactive Program Guide (IPG) beginning this fall in Seattle using Motorola DCT2000 set-top boxes.

Microsoft TV Foundation is a new digital TV software platform designed to help network operators get more value from on-demand and other digital TV services. The platform will scale from today’s thin-client set-top boxes to future-generation devices. Microsoft TV IPG is an easy-to-use, feature-rich guide solution that enables network operators to offer a better consumer experience for navigating digital cable channels and services, including on-demand offerings.

“We look forward to trialing the new Microsoft TV Foundation software, as well as Microsoft TV IPG, which we think will provide a great viewing experience as well as a convenient way to access on-demand programming,” said Steve Burke, president of Comcast Cable. “Being able to deploy enhanced offerings on today’s set-tops makes sense and increases the value of digital cable for our customers.”

“With today’s announcement, Comcast is proving once again how the right technology at the right time can add significant value to cable,” said Moshe Lichtman, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV Division. “Comcast’s selection of Microsoft TV demonstrates the industry’s desire for cost-effective, scalable software platforms that help it get the most value from its hardware and infrastructure investments. We are delighted to work with Comcast to enable exciting new services for customers.”