Can Windows 8 display 2 programs at once?

Hi;

I have a 24" monitor and am used to 2 programs, side by side. Can windows 8 accommodate this? I’m asking because all the videos I’ve seen show the apps taking up the entire screen.

Of course it can.

Even then you still have the original Windows desktop as you do on Windows 7.

That is pretty awesome but why you want it?
Play game and watch movie simultaneously?

Why not?)

There are many work uses, the primary one being having a reference window and a work window side by side

example: if you work with catia, you can works and watch tv or so.