Microsoft launches MSN Video Player with COI as launch advertiser

LONDON - The COI is among the first advertisers to appear on Microsoft's new video-on-demand player, MSN Video Player, which launches in the UK today (11 March).

Microsoft: MSN Video Player launched
Microsoft: MSN Video Player launched

Since the pilot went live in August 2009, MSN Video Player has significantly expanded its content library, putting up more than 1,000 hours of top TV shows free online, including some set to be available in high definition.

The MSN Video Player will feature content from hit TV shows including 'That Mitchell and Web Look', 'How to Look Good Naked' and 'Hustle'.

Each episode will be preceded by a 30-second ad, and will also contain an ad break half-way through, and at the end of the show.

The first ad spot to run on the player is for the Training and Development Agency, which encourages people to consider a career in teaching.

Microsoft has launched its Video Player as part of an attempt to challenge the BBC iPlayer's dominance on the video-on-demand market.

Unlike the iPlayer, the service will allow viewers to watch a full series of shows, making them available long after they are first broadcast on TV.

Ashley Highfield, managing director of consumer and online at Microsoft UK, said: "MSN Video Player had been developed with rapidly changing consumer media behaviours in mind."

A number of television studios and broadcasters have already signed up to the service, including RDF Media, the producer of 'Wife Swap', and Shed Media, the producer of 'Supernanny' and 'Waterloo Road'.

Highfield added: "The continuing rise in demand for online, professionally produced video has enabled MSN to launch a service that has strong appeal to our users and advertisers."

When the service was made available in beta for 11 days last August, more than 150,000 users logged on to view programmes.

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