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 announcing the deal.
MSN will have exclusive portal rights to syndicate the show’s 53 episodes for three years.
Making recent TV shows available online for free is rare.
MSN will stream “Arrested Development,” meaning users will have to stay online while watching and possibly encounter pauses resulting from network congestion.
