CinemaNow's Leading Video-On-Demand Service Now Accessible Through Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series

Business Wire, Sept 4, 2002

Business Editors

MARINA DEL REY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2002

CinemaNow is a featured service of Windows Media Player 9 Series,

allowing users direct access to content within the player's interface

CinemaNow Inc., a leader in IP-based video-on-demand distribution and technology, today joined Microsoft Corp. to demonstrate its support of the Windows Media 9 Series launch by announcing that a custom version of the CinemaNow website will be accessible directly through the new Windows Media Player 9 Series. This integration will provide users complete streaming and downloading functionality for CinemaNow content without leaving the familiar Windows Media Player interface. Users can easily access premier CinemaNow content by clicking the "Services tab" in Windows Media Player 9 Series providing them with a single familiar interface for managing content inside the player. In addition, content distributed on the CinemaNow Web site, www.cinemanow.com, will be made available in the new Windows Media Audio and Video 9 Series.

"The Windows Media 9 Series platform is enabling consumers to discover our premier CinemaNow content from within the familiar interface of Windows Media Player," said Curt Marvis, chief executive officer of CinemaNow. "At the same time, our integration in the 'Services Tab' in Windows Media Player 9 Series is providing us with promotion and integration into the world's most popular media player enabling us to potentially reach millions of new customers."

Windows Media 9 Series will offer several benefits for CinemaNow users. New professional level audio and video codecs dramatically improve the audio and video quality for streaming video allowing for the highest quality video experiences and 5.1-channel surround sound. Windows Media 9 Series also offers an instant-on, always-on streaming experience for broadband users, effectively eliminating buffering delays and dramatically improving the streaming experience for dial-up users. These features further improve on CinemaNow's ability to deliver the highest quality and best possible video-on-demand experience.

"CinemaNow uses Windows Media 9 Series and Windows Media DRM to securely deliver feature films over the Internet while providing its users with superior picture quality and a true on-demand experience," said Dave Fester, general manager of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. "Now, with this service available directly in the player, users of CinemaNow will enjoy an even richer and easier viewing experience."

About CinemaNow

CinemaNow, Inc. (www.cinemanow.com), the leader in IP-based video-on-demand distribution and technology, currently delivers nearly two million video streams to approximately one million users per month. The Company makes films available via its Web site in both streaming and download formats and on a pay-per-view, subscription, and ad-supported basis. CinemaNow has also developed PatchBay(TM), a proprietary video-on-demand content distribution and management system which runs the CinemaNow Web site and is available as a licensable technology solution. CinemaNow is majority owned by Lions Gate Entertainment (AMEX:LGF)(TSX:LGF), a leading creator, producer and distributor of filmed entertainment worldwide.

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