PARIS, June 9 /PRNewswire/ --
- Offering Will Be the First in France Based on the Microsoft TV Software Platform
Club Internet, in alliance with Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT), today announced details of its exclusive digital television service due to launch this month. This new triple-play offering will be the first in France to be based on the Microsoft(R) TV software platform. The announcement signifies the continuing development of Club Internet, a historically important provider of internet services in France, which will now also lead the delivery of next-generation digital television services.
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Part of the Deutsche Telekom Group, Club Internet, which created TV on the web in 2002, will be the first of the Group and among the first in the world to launch a triple-play offering that will be powered by the Microsoft TV Edition software platform and will revolutionize the way people watch TV.
Club Internet's triple-play service will provide a complete digital television service together with voice and data services that soon will be supported by a set-top box with integrated hard disk from Linksys. The offering is high-definition (HD)-ready and digital terrestrial television (DTT)-ready and will include a vast range of on-demand programming, broadcast channels and advanced digital video recording (DVR) functionality, enabling consumers to control when and how they watch live and recorded TV. The unique Microsoft TV-based solution can be tailored to suit the viewers' preferences, turning television into a more personalised entertainment experience for each individual.
This new internet protocol television (IPTV) solution is designed to be intuitive and flexible, offering a simple and user-friendly interface. Further benefits of the service are these:
-- Changing channels is instantaneous compared with one to two seconds
for other digital TV and IPTV solutions.
-- The picture-in-picture feature enables viewers to follow two
programmes simultaneously.
-- The digital recorder will provide 50 hours of recording time and will
be integrated into HD- and DTT-ready set-top boxes.
-- The TV and video-on-demand (VOD) content is wide-ranging and
proprietary to Club Internet: 1,000 VOD and subscription VOD
programmes and 150 TV programmes will be available for the back-to-
school season.
In addition to these unique features, Club Internet's triple-play
offering uses a simple and intuitive guide for programming up to two weeks
ahead, and the entire library of content can be searched by programme or even
actor name while viewers continue to watch a current programme.
"We are delighted with our alliance with Microsoft TV. Equipped with
1,000 VOD and SVOD programmes and 150 TV programmes, Club Internet television
service will provide the consumer with real added value thanks to its
user-friendly interface. With this new generation of digital television, Club
Internet is revolutionising IPTV and inventing television on demand," said
Marie-Christine Levet, president of Club Internet/T-Online France.
"Working together, Microsoft and Club Internet are helping to create a
revolution in TV entertainment for consumers across France. Club Internet can
combine its experience in pioneering innovative internet services with the
power of next-generation IPTV technologies to deliver unique TV and
communications services that are truly integrated," said Christine Heckart,
general manager of Marketing for Microsoft TV.
About Club Internet
Club Internet is one of the leading Internet service providers in France.
Headed by Marie-Christine Levet, Club Internet founded in 1995, is a pioneer
of the Internet in France, having launched the first flat-rate (telephone and
access) Internet package in June 99, the first ADSL package in November 2000
and the first broadband portal with the first ADSL TV service and the first
Wi-Fi package for the general public (free modem) and the first network of
the last generation, full IP and VDSL2 ready in November 2005.
www.club-internet.fr
About the Microsoft TV Platform
The Microsoft TV platform is a family of software solutions that help
network operators create and deliver new digital TV services that delight
consumers. Designed to help cable providers and telecommunications companies
derive more value from their digital video and network infrastructure
investments, the Microsoft TV family supports a full range of services
including interactive programme guides, digital video recording,
high-definition TV, on-demand programming and Internet Protocol TV (IPTV)
services. The Microsoft TV platform works across a full range of set-top
boxes and TV devices. More information about Microsoft TV can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/tv.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)
Microsoft has operated in EMEA since 1982. In the region Microsoft
employs more than 12,000 people in 60 subsidiaries, delivering products and
services in 138 countries and territories.
This material is for informational purposes only. Microsoft Corp
disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to use of the material
for other purposes. Microsoft Corp shall not, at any time, be liable for any
special, direct, indirect or consequential damages, whether in an action of
contract, negligence or other action arising out of or in connection with the
use or performance of the material. Nothing herein should be construed as
constituting any kind of warranty.
NOTE: Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the
United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
Web site: http://www.microsoft.com
http://www.club-internet.fr
