Vongo Inks Microsoft Deals

LAS VEGAS, January 8: At the Consumer Electronics Show
today, Starz Entertainment announced that its Vongo broadband subscription
video download service will be accessible via the television set, as a result
of a new relationship with Microsoft for Windows Vista and the Xbox 360.

Vongo has been selected as the "Movies" launch
partner for Windows Vista, which hits retail at the end of this month. Under
the terms of the agreement, consumers purchasing either Windows Vista
Premium-based or Windows Vista Ultimate-based PCs will be able to easily
download their favorite movies onto their PC or laptop using Vongo and then
view the titles on any connected TV in the home.

The new Windows Vista-enabled Vongo service will also allow
users to stream movies and other content via Media Center extenders, such as
Xbox 360 consoles, that are connected to the home network. The Xbox 360 will
automatically check to see which Windows XP or Vista-based devices are
registered on the network and ask the user whether they want to access content,
such as their Vongo movies, from that PC.

"Over the past twelve months we have witnessed
increasing interest in the movie download industry with a wave of new services,
devices and alternative business models," said Bob Greene, the executive
VP of advanced services for Starz Entertainment. “However, according to our
customer feedback, the number one barrier to adoption is the fact that the
movies can only play on the PC and not on their TV. It has been easier, up to now,
to use a DVD rather than a downloaded movie. By working with Microsoft on the
development of Vongo for Windows Vista with Windows Media Center, we have added
the last important piece for consumers: to have a truly integrated digital
entertainment experience whether they are on the road or in the living room.
Combining our superior subscription business model—based upon exclusive
movie rights—with the ability to easily watch movies on a TV, Vongo is
uniquely positioned in the marketplace."

While Vongo will be the first movie offering on the Windows
Vista platform, Nickelodeon’s TurboNick will be the premiere kids’ offering.
"This is the latest entertainment platform on which we are able to extend
our programming and content offerings for kids and families," said Steve
Youngwood, the EVP of digital media for Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family
Group. "We are thrilled to be the first kids offering on Media Center for
Windows Vista as we are always looking to better our consumers' experiences. This
launch gives audiences a brand new way to interact with their favorite
Nickelodeon shows."

TurboNick on Windows Vista, which was produced by
Nickelodeon's online team and designed and developed in conjunction with the
full-service interactive agency Schematic, offers a completely interactive
experience and a comprehensive collection of Nick content, with hundreds of
clips in addition to full length Nicktoons including SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, plus current and classic live action hits, among
them Zoey 101 and The
Amanda Show. It also includes content from
special events like the Kids' Choice Awards. Plus, TurboNick goes
behind-the-scenes with TEENick, and features online exclusives, celebrity
interviews, and extended versions of key shows.

Users are able to browse the channels, shows or favorite
Nickelodeon characters. Users can also create their own personalized play
lists, rate video content, take trivia challenges or play games. Those consumers that have a video tuner
cards for Media Center for Windows Vista can view Nickelodeon television live
on their computer through TurboNick.