PlanetFortress tracked down Valve Software's Erik Johnson to try and pin down a release date for the new Multicast Spectator Mode for Half-Life that made its debut at a recent CPL event (story). Here's what Erik had to say:

The day the next Half-Life update is released, the Multicast Spectator Mode will be compatible with all Half-Life multiplayer games, Team Fortress Classic, and Counter-Strike. In addition, we will release the new SDK before the next Half-Life update, and offer any needed support we can to help Mod teams to integrate MSM.