MSN launches free streaming video
30 July 2009
Microsoft has announced a UK service that will stream full-length videos of television shows for free.
The advertising-funded MSN Video Player will be available from next week and will include over 300 hours of shows.
Microsoft said it will continue to extend the service, adding content by working with broadcasters and studios.
The "beta", or trial, service features material from the BBC's commercial subsidiary BBC Worldwide and ALL3MEDIA, including Peep Show and Shameless.
Microsoft's Ashley Highfield on the new MSN Video Player
Programmes will be available in both Windows Media Video (WMV) and Flash formats, to cater for both PC and Mac users.
Initially, the pilot will not use Microsoft's Silverlight platform, widely touted as a flash alternative.
The project is an offshoot of the established MSN Video, which offers short video clips ranging from music to sport and news.
The video service ranked fifth in the UK in a recent survey of video-on-demand sites.
source: bbc.com