Microsoft launches free web TV service

Microsoft has announced details of its new video service, which will play full-length TV shows free of charge.

The service, which launches in beta next week on the MSN UK network, will have more than 300 hours of TV shows such as Peep Show, Shameless, Hustle, The League of Gentlemen and Mock the Week.

Microsoft has secured the rights to nearly 30 shows in total and will feature programmes from BBC's commercial subsidiary BBC Worldwide and ALL3MEDIA.

Programmes will be available in both Windows Media Video (WMV) and Flash formats and can be watched on PC and Mac.

As with the iPlayer, MSN's video player will only be available to people with a UK web address.

MSN Video is not a catch-up service like the BBC's iPlayer because it will not play the latest TV shows.

Ashley Highfield, Microsoft's managing director and vice president of consumer and online, said Microsoft is hoping to use its "unparalleled reach" to offer content to the 23 per cent of UK internet users who watch video online.

The ad-supported service will go head to head with on-demand players such as the iPlayer, 4OD and Hulu, which is expected to launch later this year in the UK.

Feature-length movies will not be included in the service when it launches but Microsoft said it will continue to extend content by working with broadcasters and studios.

See the full list of TV shows on MSN Video