Digital TV News

Microsoft online TV service has classic TV

Thursday 11 March, 2010

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

Computing giant Microsoft has launched an online on-demand TV service, offering over 1,000 hours of programmes, including Footballers' Wives, Hustle and Hotel Babylon.

Microsoft has unveiled the MSN Video Player (http://video.uk.msn.com) after just seven months of testing.

The portal is a direct competitor to on-demand TV services such as the ITV Player, 4oD, the Sky Player and the recently launched SeeSaw.

Users will be able to watch a whole host of programmes from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, including Skins, Peep Show, and Cutting It.

Ashley Highfield, Microsoft’s UK consumer and online managing director, said: “We see this service as a complement to the web TV services the broadcasters already offer. MSN Video Player is about a creating a compelling schedule of content that our audience want.”

He also said the player’s target audience was professional couples aged 18 to 34.

To watch high-definition (HD) programmes on the MSN Video Player, users will have to install Silverlight, but the service will also work in standard definition for those with Adobe Flash Player 8.

Microsoft also recommends a minimum internet connection speed of 1Mb to view shows in the best quality.

While the new MSN Video Player is subscription-free, there will be adverts before, during and after the programme.

Microsoft said it also plans to offer full-length films in the future, if deals it can secure deals with major film studios. At the moment, viewers can watch trailers for recent and upcoming releases, such as Tim Burton’s 3D adaptation of Alice in Wonderland and the second Sex in the City film, due to hit cinemas on 28 May this year.

Highfield has also hinted of a possible deal with Microsoft’s gaming console, the Xbox 360. Gamers with an Xbox 360 can watch the Sky Player on their console, however it does require a subscription.