Comcast, Time Warner to Try Microsoft Guide

Microsoft Corp., which is trying to unseat Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. in the market for television programming guide software, said Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable Inc. would try its software.

Comcast and AOL Time Warner Inc.’s cable unit, the No. 1 and 2 cable TV companies in the U.S., both use Gemstar’s software to deliver television programming guides to cable customers, said Ed Graczyk, Microsoft TV marketing director.

Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft decided last year to revamp its ailing TV software business by entering the market for programming guides, which is dominated by Gemstar.

Shares of Microsoft fell 85 cents to $26.04 on Nasdaq.