Microsoft Corp. today announced that its board of directors has increased the size of the board from nine to 10 members and elected Reed Hastings, 46, chairman and CEO of Netflix Inc., to the board. Hastings has also been appointed to the finance committee. At the meeting, the board of directors also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share, payable June 14, 2007, to shareholders of record on May 17, 2007. The ex-dividend date will be May 15, 2007.

“Reed’s track record for delivering innovative and disruptive technologies to market is very impressive,” said Microsoft chairman Bill Gates. “With his rich consumer and technology background, he will be a tremendous addition to our board.”

“There are very few companies that rival Microsoft’s impact on the way millions of people live, work and play around the world,” Hastings said. “I look forward to working with Microsoft’s esteemed group of board members to help shape the direction of the company as it continues to tackle the biggest industry challenges and opportunities.”

Hastings founded Netflix in 1997, and the company ended 2006 with 6.3 million subscribers, having more than doubled in size over the last two years.