MSN Video Downloads Delivers Food Network, FOX Sports, Children`s Programming, News and More for Portable Media Centers and Select Smartphones and Pocket PCs

March 30, 2005 -- Microsoft Corp. today announced the launch of MSN® Video Downloads, which will provide daily television programming, including video content from MSNBC.com, Food Network, FOX Sports and IFILM Corp., for download to Windows Mobile (TM) -based devices such as Portable Media Centers and select Smartphones and Pocket PCs.

Since the launch of the Microsoft® Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Center last fall, more than 20 new content partners, including CinemaNow Inc., MLB.com, MSNBC.com, MSN Music, MTV Networks Music, Napster Inc., SnapStream Media Inc. and TiVo Inc., have agreed to make video available online specifically formatted for Windows Mobile-based multimedia devices.

``The launch of Portable Media Centers in 2004 began a new era of portable entertainment, and today`s announcement solidifies the continued momentum we`ve seen for portable video,`` said John Pollard, director of Windows Mobile Applications and Services Marketing at Microsoft. ``With content from some of the most recognized brands in entertainment, MSN Video Downloads helps bring this vision to life, allowing people to take their favorite television shows with them whether they are on the train, waiting for a doctor`s appointment, or keeping the kids occupied in the back seat of the car.``

``Readily available digital video content remains a key driver for the portable multimedia player market,`` said Josh Martin, associate research analyst at IDC. ``The proliferation and growth of video service providers will serve to fill the existing video content void and increase adoption of portable multimedia players such as Windows Mobile-based devices.``

MSN Video Downloads: Keeping People Informed and Entertained Anywhere

MSN Video Downloads is available in the United States today at http://www.msnvideodownloads.com A one-year premium membership to the MSN Video Downloads service with access to all available videos is $19.95 (U.S.). In addition, people can access a limited amount of free content without a paid membership.

The MSN Video Downloads service is designed to keep people better entertained and informed, wherever and whenever they want. With great content provided daily, such as sports highlights, news headlines, children`s programming, music videos, independent films and comedy shows, MSN Video Downloads is one of the first online video download services dedicated to portable entertainment. In its debut, the MSN Video Downloads service was previewed at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show in January.

People subscribing to the premium service will be able to select the content they want to receive from the Web site. Digital videos are downloaded daily to a Windows Media® Player 10 library, ready to be synchronized with Portable Media Centers and other devices. The video content is compliant with PlaysForSure (TM) devices that play video, and is optimized for Portable Media Centers and compatible with Smartphones and Pocket PCs that support Windows Media Player 10 Mobile.