OT: Tribune Expands TV Information Deal With Microsoft
CHICAGO, March 22, 2005 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Tribune Media Services (TMS)
has expanded its licensing deal with Microsoft Corp. for TV program listings and
for movie show times for the U.S. and Canada.
The new multi-year agreement extends the long-time relationship between TMS and
Microsoft. Under the deal, TMS' industry-leading TV and movie listings databases
will be incorporated into a wide range of entertainment navigation products from
Microsoft, including Windows XP Media Center Edition, MSN.com and MSN TV.
TMS will continue to provide Microsoft with analog, digital and HDTV television
listings information, including local over-the-air, cable/satellite channel
line-ups and detailed program descriptions for the U.S. and Canada.
Microsoft will also have access to TMS' enhanced TV listings service, which
offers more frequent availability of updates to program schedules, providing
Microsoft's consumers with the best information available for making
entertainment decisions.
"As Microsoft continues to develop and deliver exciting technologies such as
Windows XP Media Center Edition, which enables high-quality digital
entertainment experiences, the electronic program guides play an important role
in enabling an integrated, easy-to-use TV-viewing experience," said Martin
Sacchi, Director of Business Development for the eHome Division at Microsoft.
"We are excited to be able to expand our relationship with TMS in order to offer
our customers the very best in digital entertainment."
Kathy Tolstrup, General Manager of Sales and Marketing for TMS Entertainment
Products said, "TMS continues to maintain its commitment to provide high-quality
service and accurate and comprehensive entertainment listings. We are delighted
to continue our relationship with Microsoft to meet their diverse needs for TV
and movie information. As our clients expand worldwide, TMS is growing its
databases to meet their international needs."
About Tribune Media Services Entertainment Products Division
Tribune Media Services (TMS) is a leading provider of print, online and
on-screen entertainment listings and editorial information to newspapers and
online media, cable and satellite operators, and consumer electronics companies.
Offering a full line of enhanced entertainment information products and
services, TMS' TV information clients include Time Warner Cable, Cablevision,
New York Times, USA Today, TiVo and Microsoft. TMS collects information from
more than 12,500 broadcast, cable and satellite sources worldwide. Its
newspaper, cable and satellite program magazines reach more than 30 million
households in over 50 major markets on a weekly and monthly basis. Additionally,
TMS' passive program guide (PPG) is available in 9 million homes worldwide.
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