Net broadcasting trials to begin
Microsoft begins nationwide trials of its Internet broadcasting technology in partnership with 12 TV broadcasters and cable programmers.
Microsoft (MSFT) will begin nationwide trials of an Internet broadcasting technology in partnership with 12 television broadcasters and cable programmers, the company announced today.
The broadcasters will push Web content like news, stock tickers, and programming information to viewers in conjunction with regular programming. One of the participants, Oregon Public Broadcasting, will also send supplementary educational data.
The technology capitalizes on an used portion of the cable transmission signal called the Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI). Microsoft employs WavePhore's WaveTop technology, while Intel promotes a similar technology dubbed Intercast. Both are intended to complement television programming.