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To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (12318)	7/12/1999 5:34:00 PM
From: JayPC	Respond to of 29970

Rogers and Microsoft agree to develop and deploy interactive TV services Rogers Communications Inc RCI.B Shares issued 233,718,285 1999-07-09 close $29.5 Monday Jul 12 1999 Mr. Edward Rogers reports Rogers Communications Inc. and Microsoft Corp. have made a series of agreements, under which the companies will work together to accelerate the deployment of interactive television services to millions of Canadian homes. Both companies are committed to providing customers with tangible benefits from the combination of software, Internet technology and new broadband digital networks. The announced collaboration will provide Canadian television viewers with a range of next-generation digital services that will combine the interactivity of the Internet with interactive video and audio programming and enhanced broadcast services operating through advanced set-top boxes. A phased rollout of products and services is planned to begin next year. As part of these agreements, Rogers has chosen to license both the Microsoft TV client software and Microsoft TV Server software to support at least one million advanced set-top boxes. Microsoft and Rogers will work closely together to customize the Microsoft TV platform adaptation kit (Microsoft TVPAK) software platform to Rogers' needs and to plan the development of new digital services to meet Canadian viewers' needs. These advanced broadband television services will use the best of the Internet to help improve Canadian consumers' overall on-line experience and stimulate the on-line community and e-commerce in Canada. The advanced television services will include content provided by Rogers, Microsoft and a variety of Canadian and other content suppliers. The services will include a Rogers-branded E-mail product powered by MSN Hotmail and other services based on Microsoft properties including Microsoft Passport, MSN Search and MSNBC among others, as well as additional Canadian services. Microsoft also will make a $600-million (Canadian) (approximately $400-million (U.S.)) investment in Rogers to further demonstrate Microsoft's commitment to Rogers' success in developing and rolling out new digital services. The overall agreements, including the Microsoft investment, will assist Rogers in providing its customers with earlier access to a broader range of advanced Internet and television services over its broadband network. Rogers currently has one of the most integrated and advanced cable networks in North America with two-way capability covering 89 per cent of the 2.8 million homes it passes. "This agreement is an important milestone in a long and successful working relationship between Rogers and Microsoft," said Edward S. Rogers, president and chief executive officer of Rogers Communications. "Through this relationship with Microsoft, the worldwide leader in software development, our customers will have access to rich interactive Canadian content and entertainment and to the most advanced television services in the world." "Microsoft is excited about working with Rogers, one of the world's leading communications companies, on these new services that will be available to millions of homes throughout Canada," said Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft. "By using Microsoft's television platform, Rogers will be able to deliver new services that fully utilize the broadband infrastructure, thereby enabling a great information, entertainment and communications experience for their customers." Microsoft has agreed to purchase $600-million (Canadian) of Rogers' 5.5 per cent convertible preferred securities. The preferred securities are convertible into Rogers Class B shares at a conversion price of $35 (Canadian) per share. The coupon on the preferred securities is payable at Rogers option in cash, Class B shares or additional preferred securities. In addition, Microsoft will receive 5.33 million three-year warrants to purchase Rogers Class B shares at an exercise price of $35 (Canadian) per share. (c) Copyright 1999 Canjex Publishing Ltd. canada-stockwatch.com