Microsoft has launched a service that lets people download certain TV shows to portable devices such as
media players and advanced cell phones.
With the new service, MSN Video Downloads, customers will have access to more content ? sports
highlights and some shows from Fox Sports, news and business headlines from MSNBC.com and
children's programming from Cookie Jar Entertainment.
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.
"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."
Users simply log onto a Web site using a traditional laptop or desktop computer. They can download the
shows and transfer them to portables.
The service marks Microsoft's latest effort to get people interested in Portable Media Centers and other
devices that use its Windows Media Player technology for watching movies and listening to music.