Comcast Cable and Microsoft Corp. announced a licensing agreement that enables Comcast to make Microsoft TV Foundation Edition 1.7 software available to up to 5 million cable customers, with the option to expand the rollout at a later date. The Microsoft TV line supports digital video services, such as interactive programming guides, digital video recording, HDTV and on-demand.

Microsoft said Foundation Edition works on a range of set-top boxes, from regular cable boxes to more advanced units featuring dual-tuner DVR, VOD and HDTV. The software also helps viewers use these services by way of the IPG.