Microsoft to Run Free Episodes Of 'Arrested Development' Online
Microsoft Corp. will run free episodes of the quirky TV comedy "Arrested Development" through its MSN Video service later this year, making the show available online for the first time.
MSN, the software maker's Internet unit, said Wednesday it will run display and video ads instead of charging viewers to watch the critically lauded show that was a hit with a relatively small but fiercely loyal audience.
"On TV, 'Arrested Development' created an incredibly passionate and dedicated fan base, and we're thrilled to bring this series to the global MSN audience,'' Rob Bennett, MSN's general manager of entertainment and video services, said in a statement.
MSN will have exclusive portal rights to syndicate the show's 53 episodes for three years. "Arrested Development'' was canceled this year after three seasons.
Making recent TV shows available online for free is rare. Shows have generally gone on sale through Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes and other services for $1.99 an episode, though those are for full downloads. MSN will stream "Arrested Development,'' meaning users will have to stay online while watching and possibly encounter pauses resulting from network congestion.
ABC experimented recently with making ``Lost'' and other programs free through its Web site. Time Warner Inc.'s AOL has a deal with sister company Warner Bros. to show older programs such as ``Welcome Back Kotter'' and ``Growing Pains.''
PBS to Sell Shows on Google Video
Meanwhile, PBS said it would make downloads of some of its shows, including "Antiques Roadshow," "NOVA" and the children's cartoon "Arthur," available for purchase on Google Inc.'s Google Video. Prices range from $1.99 to $7.99 an episode.
"We've received significant viewer feedback this year, requesting that we offer our television content in downloadable formats," said PBS Chief Executive Paula Kerger in a statement.
微软将通过MSN免费播出电视剧
微软(Microsoft)将在今年晚些时候通过其MSN Video服务免费播出怪诞电视喜剧《发展受阻》(Arrested Development)，这是这部电视剧首次在网上播出。
微软旗下互联网部门MSN周三表示，将在电视剧中插播视频广告，因此观众可免费观看此电视剧。这部受到赞誉的电视剧吸引了一批规模虽然不算很大但是非常执著的铁杆观众。
MSN娱乐及视频服务的总经理Rob Bennett在声明中称，《发展受阻》在电视上播出时获得了非同一般的热烈反响，也造就了一批忠实的观众。我们对能通过MSN向全球观众播放这部系列剧感到非常兴奋。
MSN拥有这部53集系列剧的三年网上独家播放权。今年，《发展受阻》在播出了三季之后就停播了。
在互联网上免费播放电视剧并不多见。在网上销售电视剧一般是通过苹果电脑旗下的iTunes或其他服务实现的，收费标准为每集1.99美元。MSN将对《发展受阻》进行流媒体处理，这意味著观众只能一边上网一边观看，而且在网络拥挤的时候画面可能会出现停顿。
美国广播公司(ABC)近期曾尝试在其公司网站上免费播出《迷失》(Lost)和其他节目。时代华纳旗下的美国在线与姊妹企业华纳兄弟(Warner Bros.)也达成了通过前者播放《欢迎克特尔归来》(Welcome Back Kotter)和《成长的烦恼》(Growing Pains)等早期节目的协议。
与此同时，美国公共广播电视(PBS)表示将通过谷歌(Google Inc.)旗下的Google Video销售部分电视节目，如《古董巡回秀》(Antiques Roadshow)等。每集售价从1.99美元到7.99美元。
PBS的首席执行长在声明中表示，我们今年获得了大量的观众反馈，他们要求我们提供可以下载的电视节目内容。
