Internet TV services provider Move Networks announced that Microsoft has taken a stake in the company as a strategic investor.
The amount of Microsoft’s investment was not disclosed. In April, Move Networks announced Comcast and Cisco Systems were among investors that ponied up a series C round of $46 million, bringing the company to a total of $67.3 million raised.
Move Networks previously said it would integrate its Internet television services with Microsoft Silverlight, a cross-browser, multiplatform plug-in for delivering Web media.
This week, the Democratic National Committee will use Microsoft’s Silverlight technology and Move Networks’ services to deliver live video to viewers from its 2008 convention in Denver, at DemConvention.com, with network services provided by Level 3 Communications.
“Microsoft’s Silverlight technology helps our customers add navigation and branding elements to their Internet television programming,” Move Networks CEO John Edwards said, in a statement. “Our close relationship with Microsoft demonstrates their confidence in our ability to unlock the tremendous potential of Internet television for audiences, media owners, advertisers, and service providers.”
With the Microsoft investment, Move Networks said it also will support Windows Server-based encoding, Microsoft codecs and Silverlight Digital Rights Management (DRM).
