Microsoft is set to launch a new free streaming video service through MSN in the UK. It sounds like it will be a great service with a wide range of programming from all the major TV Networks including Channel 4 and the BBC.
MSN video player screen shot
The ad supported service is about to under go a 6 month public beta which according to Ashley Highfield, Microsoft’s managing director and vice president of consumer and online, will be streamed without DRM (Digital Rights Management) copy protection but will only be available to people with a UK web address.
Microsoft are making an aggressive and decisive grab for viewers in the UK online video content market which is becoming very crowded what with Youtube, BBC iPlayer, Joost and Hulu which is about to make its début in the UK.
The service is backed up by a lot of popular British programming which should make the service a hit and Microsoft claim that they have had no trouble selling their ad spaces, not to mention how deep Microsoft’s pockets are. So there is really no reason why the MSN streaming video service should fail. This can only be a good thing for online audiences who prefer to watch content online and with so much more content freely available online it should reduce the need for video piracy and illegal downloading.
Source: BBC News.
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