News
Anime Cable Network... coming from Microsoft!?
posted on by George Phillips
Late last night, Microsoft let a press release slip, indicating the late 2002 creation of a 24-hour anime cable channel! You heard it here first, folks!
Please note: This article is a part of our 2002 April Fools Jokes. The article is a fake.
Early this morning, an anonymous reader visited microsoft.com, and found something interesting -- the announcement of a 24-hour anime cable service!
Disbelieving as we were, we investigated the matter, and found a Press Release citing the creation of a "Japanimation TV" network, an offshoot of MSNBC.
The press release, however, is cited for April 8th, next monday. It appears to have been mistakenly posted to the website, and was removed earlier this morning.
We took a screenshot of the Microsoft.com front page shortly before its disappearance, and have attempted to contact Microsoft and MSNBC representatives. However, neither Microsoft nor MSNBC representatives could be reached through our repeated efforts.
As unexpected an announcement as this may seem, given the recent popularity of anime on Cartoon Network, Fox Kids and Kids WB, it isn't entirely unthinkable. Additionally, the might of Microsoft plus the distribution capabilities of MSNBC make such a partnering possible.
We will continue to pursue this news story as it develops.
Excerpted from the Press Release:
Microsoft announces 'Japanimation' TV
REDMOND, Wash. -- April 8th, 2002 -- Microsoft® has announced a new venture with MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.com) to provide a new 24-hour cable service dedicated to the broadcast of 'Japanimation'.
"MSNBC saw a tremendous growth in viewership from a growing interest in Japanese 'anime'," said said Ona Karasa, general manager of MSNBC.com. "We look forward to providing our viewers with top quality entertainment and information regarding Japanimation."
"With this decision, we are positioning our print and Internet properties for the multimedia world of the future. Microsoft, WOWOW and MSNBC, on cable and online, are ideal partners which to enrich and expand the reach of our print and online services, through quality entertainment."
A major component of the relationship will be the launch of Anime.MSNBC.com, scheduled for late 2002. Starting immediately, MSNBC.com will carry anime content from various Japanese animation companies, both domestic and foreign. In addition, MSNBC.com will have access to exclusive content from Japan Satellite Broadcasting, Inc. (WOWOW) and gainax.co.jp. Similarly, WOWOW and gainax.co.jp will have access to MSNBC News multimedia content, covering broadcast, cable and the Internet.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.
ABOUT MSNBC.COM
MSNBC.com is the number one news site according to the Internet measurement service Media Metrix. As the leader in breaking news and original journalism on the Internet, MSNBC.com additionally delivers the best of NBC News, MSNBC Cable, CNBC and NBC Sports. MSNBC.com provides expanded content via partnerships with The Washington Post, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, ZDNet, MSN Money Central, The Sporting News, Expedia, E! Online, Pencil News, FEED magazine, Science magazine, inc.com, APBnews.com, Internet Broadcasting Systems and Pioneer Newspapers. MSNBC.com's innovative distribution includes delivery of broadband content for U.S. West, Road Runner, and on broadband.msnbc.com and wireless content delivery for MSN Mobile, i3 Mobile and Omnisky. In addition, MSNBC.com programs interactive content for MSNBC Cable and NBC News.
MSNBC is a 24-hour cable and Internet joint venture of Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and NBC News (NYSE:GE.)
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
This is a joke. Please don't sue us.
Early this morning, an anonymous reader visited microsoft.com, and found something interesting -- the announcement of a 24-hour anime cable service!
Disbelieving as we were, we investigated the matter, and found a Press Release citing the creation of a "Japanimation TV" network, an offshoot of MSNBC.
The press release, however, is cited for April 8th, next monday. It appears to have been mistakenly posted to the website, and was removed earlier this morning.
We took a screenshot of the Microsoft.com front page shortly before its disappearance, and have attempted to contact Microsoft and MSNBC representatives. However, neither Microsoft nor MSNBC representatives could be reached through our repeated efforts.
As unexpected an announcement as this may seem, given the recent popularity of anime on Cartoon Network, Fox Kids and Kids WB, it isn't entirely unthinkable. Additionally, the might of Microsoft plus the distribution capabilities of MSNBC make such a partnering possible.
We will continue to pursue this news story as it develops.
Excerpted from the Press Release:
Microsoft announces 'Japanimation' TV
REDMOND, Wash. -- April 8th, 2002 -- Microsoft® has announced a new venture with MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.com) to provide a new 24-hour cable service dedicated to the broadcast of 'Japanimation'.
"MSNBC saw a tremendous growth in viewership from a growing interest in Japanese 'anime'," said said Ona Karasa, general manager of MSNBC.com. "We look forward to providing our viewers with top quality entertainment and information regarding Japanimation."
"With this decision, we are positioning our print and Internet properties for the multimedia world of the future. Microsoft, WOWOW and MSNBC, on cable and online, are ideal partners which to enrich and expand the reach of our print and online services, through quality entertainment."
A major component of the relationship will be the launch of Anime.MSNBC.com, scheduled for late 2002. Starting immediately, MSNBC.com will carry anime content from various Japanese animation companies, both domestic and foreign. In addition, MSNBC.com will have access to exclusive content from Japan Satellite Broadcasting, Inc. (WOWOW) and gainax.co.jp. Similarly, WOWOW and gainax.co.jp will have access to MSNBC News multimedia content, covering broadcast, cable and the Internet.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.
ABOUT MSNBC.COM
MSNBC.com is the number one news site according to the Internet measurement service Media Metrix. As the leader in breaking news and original journalism on the Internet, MSNBC.com additionally delivers the best of NBC News, MSNBC Cable, CNBC and NBC Sports. MSNBC.com provides expanded content via partnerships with The Washington Post, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, ZDNet, MSN Money Central, The Sporting News, Expedia, E! Online, Pencil News, FEED magazine, Science magazine, inc.com, APBnews.com, Internet Broadcasting Systems and Pioneer Newspapers. MSNBC.com's innovative distribution includes delivery of broadband content for U.S. West, Road Runner, and on broadband.msnbc.com and wireless content delivery for MSN Mobile, i3 Mobile and Omnisky. In addition, MSNBC.com programs interactive content for MSNBC Cable and NBC News.
MSNBC is a 24-hour cable and Internet joint venture of Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and NBC News (NYSE:GE.)
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
This is a joke. Please don't sue us.
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