Microsoft and NBC in multimedia alliance
Article Abstract:
Microsoft and NBC have agreed on a loosely defined alliance to develop a number of multimedia products and services. The CEOs of the two companies, Bill Gates of Microsoft and Robert Wright of NBC, announced the deal in a conference call, saying that the firms would jointly develop CD-ROMs, interactive television services and products for Microsoft's online information service, Microsoft Network. Microsoft is not planning to pay NBC for access to programming, and the two companies have not decided how they would split revenues from products or services distributed on the Network. Although the details of the arrangement were few, the news of the deal was bad for America Online and Prodigy Services Co. Those two companies have arrangements with NBC that Wright says his company is planning to phase out. NBC is still planning to maintain its home page on the World Wide Web of the Internet.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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Hong Kong confronts foreign phone giants
Article Abstract:
MCI Worldcom wants Hong Kong to open its telecommunications market and has taken out a newspaper advertisement there saying so. MCI Worldcom's article sounds an alarmist warning that Hong Kong is in danger of missing out on the information age and returning to a time of protectionism. The article takes on an added edge because economic conditions in Asia have deteriorated during the 15 months since Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule. MCI Worldcom wants to be allowed to offer local voice and data services to Hong Kong's many multinational corporations. Hong Kong currenly licenses three local companies besides its old monopoly, Hong Kong Telecom. In the week of Oct 19, 1998, Hong Kong said it would open its long-distance market to competition, and during the coming weeks, local phone licenses will be considered. However, industry observers doubt that more local licenses will be issued.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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If at first you don't succeed...why big multimedia strategies have such a short shelf life
Article Abstract:
Movie, music and publishing companies have a difficult time trying to become successful in multimedia publishing. Only one of the top 20 video game titles for home computers is made by a major media company, Viacom, and none of the top 15 selling cartridge games is made by large media companies. Time Warner's interactive media division lost $30 million in 1994 trying to develop a successful multimedia title and failed. Viacom's multimedia division lost $7 million and sold few of its games, mostly based on MTV programs. Sony Corp also lost money in 1994 trying to develop games based on the company's successful movies. Small companies have been most successful in multimedia applications despite the fact that they lack the deep resources that the large corporations have. The smaller firms are succeeding because they understand the quirks of the market.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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