Embarrassing his spokeslady, who was telling anyone that asked that Microsoft Corp had no interest in buying a stake in Turner Broadcasting System Inc, chairman Bill Gates said his company was in talks over a possible interactive venture with Turner, and that while they were at a pretty early stage they could ultimately result in a Microsoft equity investment in Turner. Gates made the comments on Turner’s Cable News Network’s Larry King Live. Gates indicated that Microsoft had sought out Turner as part of its push to form alliances with media companies for services such as interactive television and the Microsoft Network. I’m a big admirer of Ted Turner, said Gates: what he’s done is incredible. He said that Microsoft would consider an investment if the right kind of interactive venture was worked out between the companies.
