Microsoft Internet TV Launch
By Andrew Redfern @ 30th July 2009 2:37 pm
The Microsoft Internet TV service will go live in less than a week, that’s the official line from Microsoft Ashley Highfield Microsoft’s Consumer MD. The new product will be known as MSN video player and will rival the UK’s most popular Online TV provider: BBC iPlayer. iPlayer deals with over 40 million requests per month and is proof positive that the market, certainly in the UK, is ready for this kind of service.
Where MSN Video player will differ from the BBC however is in the way they are funded, where the iPlayer is funded by the licence payer MSN will use commercial before and during the programmes to fund the content.
Initially the service will be powered by a flash download, later progressing to the Silverlight protocol reducing the demand on the servers. Many question what content Microsoft can bring to the table and the answer is….BBC content. BBC Worldwide the licensing arm of the BBC together with All3media TV distribution will provide 300 hours of programming. Shows will be at least 6 months old and targeting the 18-30 audience.
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