Microsoft’s Online ‘Zine Is Slated for TV

Microsoft Corp. plans to make a television pilot program based on its online magazine Slate, hosted by ex-CNN pundit Michael Kinsley, as the software giant moves further into TV. The pilot would be produced with Seattle public-TV station KCTS and made available on the Internet, using Microsoft’s WebTV technology that lets users toggle between a TV and a personal computer. The half-hour weekly program would feature Slate contributors and guests discussing news, politics and culture. The Slate announcement came as something of a surprise after Microsoft said two weeks ago that its Internet strategy would focus on services rather than content. Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft’s shares rose $2.58 to close at $92.56 on the Nasdaq.