Found this on the IATV thread. Any Thoughts?
Internet Daily
Wednesday, April 28, 1999
by Frank Barnako, CBS MarketWatch
Microsoft forms streaming media unit
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) formed a division devoted to developing and marketing technologies and solutions for consumer and business digital-media applications. The streaming media division will devise strategies to employ the company's products for Web-based music, radio, news, online training and corporate communications. The new business unit was formally announced by Microsoft president Steve Ballmer.
In another announcement, Microsoft said it will make financial and intellectual contributions to the development of the Internet2 consortium. "The Internet as we know it today is constantly pushed to its limits," said Microsoft Research vice president Rick Rashid. "Even though now we can participate in videoconferences or exchange audio and video clips with one another, the quality of the experience is not optimal or compelling enough to make it commonplace. By working with the Internet2 consortium, Microsoft is confident that together we can overcome the current technical challenges by developing the new network technologies that will eventually revolutionize the Internet experience." The Internet2 project includes more than 150 U.S. universities, working with industry and government.
Chancellor radio tunes in Net
Chancellor Media Group (AMFM) plans to begin Webcasting four of its Philadelphia radio stations as a first step to eventually putting 469 of its owned stations on the Net by the end of the year. After completing acquisition of Capstar Broadcasting, Chancellor will be the largest radio station group in the country. The company is spending $150 million on its Web effort, according to US TODAY. "We want to take the radio experience and extend it to the Web by building miniportals," said new media vice president Chuck Armstrong. Chancellor is partnering with Internet service providers, giving them promotional mentions on air, with a goal of generating $250 million in incentive fees from those ISPs for building their customer bases. Chancellor plans to spin off its Internet division later this year, the report added..
Murdoch plans Net campaign
Faulted by some for being slow to seize the opportunity of the Internet, News Corp. (NWS) said it formed a company to fund Internet activities and develop interactive television. The firm is called e-partners. In a statement, company chairman Rupert Murdoch said, "We see enormous opportunity for playing an even greater role in the new media industry." The venture will be run by Mark Booth, the chief executive of BSkyB, and the former chief executive of MTV Europe. Booth chose the News Corp. job after turning down a $25 million offer to join Microsoft (MSFT), according to London's Financial Times. |
