Microsoft, MTV Unveil Windows Media Player 11 and URGE Digital Music Service

Microsoft and MTV Networks Unveil New Windows Media Player 11 and Preview URGE, a New Digital Music Service — Seamless integration of Windows Media Player 11 and URGE delivers complete music experience and redefines music discovery for fans.

Microsoft and MTV Networks unveiled the new Windows Media Player 11 and offered an early look at the URGE digital music service during the kickoff keynote address for the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates was joined onstage by MTV Networks’ Music Group President Van Toffler and music superstar Justin Timberlake to preview the seamless integration of Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 and MTV Networks’ URGE, which is designed to bring the emotional connection of music to the forefront of the digital entertainment experience.

Gates and Toffler highlighted the fresh, streamlined design for Windows Media Player 11 with optimized device support and incredibly fast search capabilities that provide consumers with instant access to the entire URGE catalog of more than 2 million songs. Set to debut this year, URGE will offer a deep well of programming and editorial to guide the consumer’s digital music experience, including exclusive content from MTV Networks’ MTV, VH1 and CMT brands.

“Microsoft and MTV Networks have combined their strengths to dramatically redefine how Windows users discover and enjoy music,” Gates said. “The result is a seamless melding of software and entertainment expertise that makes it easy for people to discover new music and listen to old favorites.”

“Our audience has come to expect us to deliver the world’s best music programming on MTV, VH1 and CMT,” Toffler said. “URGE will be a major new way for artists across all genres — from alt-country to zydeco — to connect with their fans and find new audiences through multiplatform exposure from MTV Networks and on one of the world’s most popular digital media players, Windows Media Player.”