Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft said Monday that it will use technology from Cable & Wireless to encode advertisers' 15-second videos into its proprietary format, Windows Media 9. Cable & Wireless will then use its content-distribution network to stream the ads to MSN Video, a broadband video player set to launch later this winter. MSN Video will feature news and entertainment programming, and it will be free to users.
The deal signifies the importance of advertising to MSN Video. By signing on Cable & Wireless, MSN plans to unload some of the production work for delivering the ads. It also hopes to ensure that video ads are streamed fast through the use of Cable & Wireless' multiple servers positioned around the world.
"Microsoft wants to make sure ads start quickly because that's the user's first experience, it gives a little bit more time for the content to load up," said Pat Greer, vice president of content delivery network services for Cable & Wireless.
|