Microsoft Teams With MTV to Provide Exclusive Sneak Peek at the Debut of the Next-Generation Xbox

Elijah Wood and The Killers will host half-hour global premiere with a performance from The Killers, airing exclusively on MTV channels around the world May 12 and 13.

NEW YORK -- April 11, 2005 -- MTV: Music Television and Microsoft Corp. today announced a global marketing alliance to unveil the next-generation Xbox® video game system on MTV channels in the United States, Asia Pacific and Europe, all within a 24-hour window -- a first for the video game industry. The highly anticipated console will be revealed to video game fanatics, music lovers and MTV viewers via a high-energy half-hour program titled "MTV Presents: The Next Generation Xbox Revealed." The special will be hosted by entertainment icon, seasoned gamer and Xbox fanatic Elijah Wood, known globally for the Academy Award-winning "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Island Records' renowned Las Vegas rockers The Killers will deliver electrifying performances throughout the special. The global broadcast will premiere Thursday, May 12, at 9:30 p.m. EDT in North America and on Friday, May 13 in other regions around the globe (local air times below).

Viewers will get an exclusive look at the Xbox vision for the next generation -- one that ensures that the user experience is always connected, always personalized and always in high definition. The special will feature never-before-seen, action-packed gameplay of future Xbox games, a peek into the future of the Xbox Live (TM) online gaming service, backstage celebrity interviews and exclusive insider footage on the making of the next-generation console.

The inside look at the next-generation Xbox will continue at MTV.com, where after the special, viewers will find extended event coverage including behind-the-scenes video, photos and other special extras. MTV.com will also provide ongoing in-depth coverage of the next-generation Xbox highlighting the latest news, product details and previews of hot next-generation games.

"We recognize and celebrate our viewers' passion for gaming and are excited to be working with Microsoft to launch such a significant entertainment product," said John Shea, executive vice president, Integrated Marketing and Sponsorship Development, MTV Networks Music Group. "We're proud that Microsoft considers MTV the premier global network to launch its new Xbox gaming console and reveal the first look to MTV viewers around the world."

"Just as MTV revolutionized the way the world experiences music, the next-generation video game console from Xbox will spark a revolution in how consumers experience games and other forms of digital entertainment," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for Xbox at Microsoft. "We are ecstatic about our alliance with MTV and unveiling a video game platform in a way that has never been done."

"MTV Presents: The Next Generation Xbox Revealed" will be broadcast around the world. Local market times are as follows: