Microsoft Corp. Wednesday rolled out Digital Broadcast Manager (Developer Preview), software that makes it possible for companies to sell pay-per-view and pay-per-download content via the Internet.

Digital Broadcast Manager transforms Web sites with digital media content into e-commerce solutions by distributing digital audio and video content in the Microsoft Windows Media Format, making it possible to create digital media storefronts on the Web.

Digital Broadcast Manager was developed in cooperation with companies such as House of Blues and Showtime Boxing's Web broadcaster. Companies like e-Media have been using it to deliver large-scale sports pay-per-view events.

Companies in business-to-business e-commerce are also using Digital Broadcast Manager. For example, Milliman & Robertson Actuaries & Consultants uses Digital Broadcast Manager to sell medical education and credit courses online in digital form, based on the Windows Media Format.

"Demand for digital media e-commerce is exploding and will be as commonplace as selling traditional goods -- such as books and CDs -- within the next few years," said Dave Fester, director of marketing, Digital Media Division, Microsoft.

"The delivery of the Digital Broadcast Manager is a huge step in enabling service providers and partners to create profitable business ventures with digital media."

Digital Broadcast Manager offers features for the following:

• Converting digital media content into secure marketable products like streamed video events, music download files or music previews
• Ensuring secure authentication and authorization of customers
• Managing and responding to customer needs through an integrated report manager to track customer and product sales trends
• Setting up and managing a digital media storefront on the Web

The final release of Digital Broadcast Manager is scheduled to be released later this year. Companies may apply to evaluate the Digital Broadcast Manager Developer Preview .