Company Town

Internet: Microsoft Corp. and the parent company of Black Entertainment Television said Thursday that they have formed a joint-venture company aimed at attracting African Americans to the growing Internet market. Microsoft and BET Holdings Inc. each will contribute an undisclosed amount of cash, personnel and technology to the new company, which will be operated out of BET’s studios in Washington, D.C. Initially the venture will focus on developing interactive programming to be delivered via the online Microsoft Network and the Internet’s World Wide Web, executives of the two companies said. “This venture . . . between BET and Microsoft ensures that black Americans will be part of the information superhighway,� BET Holdings Chairman and Chief Executive Bob Johnson said at a Washington news conference. Executives were vague about plans other than to say they would leverage BET’s programming strength to produce interactive material, beginning with a site currently available on the Microsoft Network celebrating Black History month.