Headliners to Offer Microsoft Content for It's Portable Media Centers

Business Wire, Jan 6, 2005

MONTCLAIR, N.J. -- Headliners Entertainment Group, Inc. (OTCBB:HLNR) announced today that it will supply Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) with content from it's library of stand up comic and to start taping the comics of tomorrow for Microsoft's new Portable media Centers. Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) at 2005 International CES made three announcements yesterday about how it will significantly increase the flow of digital video to Windows Mobile(TM)-based devices, such as Portable Media Centers and select Smartphones and Pocket PCs.

The announcements highlighted a collaboration with TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO) to deliver recorded television to Portable Media Centers and Smartphones and Pocket PCs equipped with Windows Media(R) Player 10 Mobile; an alliance with MTV Networks to deliver digital programming; and the unveiling of MSN(R) Video Downloads, one of the first portable TV services, which will make TV shows and other video clips available to Windows Mobile-based portable devices from more than a dozen sources including FOX Sports, CNBC, MSNBC and Food Network.

"We've declared our vision of enabling digital entertainment anywhere, and today we are delivering three more solutions to make that possible," said Blair Westlake, corporate vice president of the Media/Entertainment & Technology Convergence Group at Microsoft. "Portable Media Centers are creating a new opportunity to take video, photos and music anywhere, and Microsoft's work with TiVo, MSN Video Downloads and MTV greatly expands the video content available for these devices. Now if you want to watch video on the go, you have several more programs to choose from."

TiVoToGo(TM): TV Whenever, Wherever People Want It

On Jan. 3, TiVo began rolling out its TiVoToGo(TM) feature, allowing subscribers using a TiVo(R) Series2(TM) stand-alone digital video recorder (DVR) to transfer their recorded programs to a Windows(R) XP-based PC. An update coming soon to TiVoToGo will enable easy transfer and playback on Windows Mobile-based devices, including Portable Media Centers, Pocket PCs and Smartphones. TiVo expects TiVo Series2 subscribers to have access to the TiVoToGo software and be able to transfer to portable devices within the next 60 days.

"We share the same excitement about innovation and entertainment as Microsoft," said Brodie Keast, executive vice president and general manager of the TiVo service. "When we launched TiVo, it changed the way people thought about when they would watch their favorite shows - from prime time to anytime. When Microsoft launched Portable Media Centers, it changed the way people thought about where they want to watch their favorite shows -- from the living space to anyplace. This gives both of our customers the best of both worlds -- the opportunity to watch their favorite programming anytime, anywhere."

By connecting a TiVo Series2 DVR to a home network, subscribers can transfer their favorite programs to a Windows XP-based PC, then use Windows Media Player 10 to transfer the shows to a Portable Media Center, Windows Mobile-based Smartphone or Pocket PC to take with them wherever they like.

"TiVo and Microsoft came together because we know that people want entertainment that is personal and portable," said Todd Warren, corporate vice president of the Devices, Services and eXperience Group at Microsoft. "TiVo helped reinvent the way people think of television. This solution to take TiVo on the go on Windows Mobile- based devices such as Portable Media Centers, Pocket PCs and Smartphones gives people the freedom to choose where they want to watch their favorite recorded television programs."

MSN Video Downloads: One Stop for More Choices of Online Content

MSN Video Downloads is designed to keep people better entertained and informed no matter where they are. With great content such as sports highlights, news headlines, children's programming, music videos, independent films and comedy shows, MSN Video Downloads is the first online video download service dedicated to portable entertainment. Starting tomorrow, consumers can participate in a preview of the service and access videos from more than a dozen partners.

"This is a great example of the strengths Microsoft brings to making more digital entertainment accessible to more people," Warren said. "Microsoft is uniquely positioned to work with content providers to deliver secure videos, has the best platform for transferring that content from the computer, and the best devices to enjoy video on the go. We hope other video providers see this as the first step to creating a new delivery channel for their programming." MSN Video Downloads, available at http://video.msn.com/downloads , will offer free, trial and paid memberships. Digital videos are downloaded daily to a Windows Media Player 10 library, ready to be synchronized with Portable Media Centers. The video content is compliant with PlaysForSure(TM) devices, optimized for Portable Media Centers, and compatible with Smartphones and Pocket PCs that support video. (Full Smartphone and Pocket PC optimization will be enabled at a later date.) A one-year premium membership to the MSN Video Downloads service with access to all available videos costs $19.95 (U.S.). In addition, people can access a limited amount of free content without a paid membership.