[The Hankyoreh, January 22 2008] Daum, Microsoft team up for Internet TV mart

Daum Communications Corp., South Korea's second-largest portal operator, said Tuesday that it has teamed up with global software giant Microsoft Corp. and local set-top box maker Celrun Co. to enter the local Internet TV market.

Under the three-way cooperation deal, Daum said it will provide contents and other know-how in operating the overall service, while Microsoft will offer its own internet-protocol TV (IPTV) solutions and focus on overseas marketing. Celrun will provide the necessary equipment for customers to use the Internet TV. Internet TV is fast emerging as a significant alternative to the traditional way of watching TV programs, by allowing viewers to choose and view TV contents interactively via a broadband Internet connection. Currently available services mostly consist of video-on-demand (VOD). Recently, a bill passed the National Assembly, allowing for a complete version of Internet-protocol TV (IPTV), under which customers will be able to watch not just VODs but also real-time contents including sports, dramas and news. Daum plans to launch the Internet TV service, excluding real-time broadcasting, in the second quarter of this year at the earliest, it said in a press release.