Microsoft teams with MTV, BMG

Pact offers musicvideos free online

By STEVE CLARKE

Microsoft has approved pan-European deals with MTV Networks Intl. and Sony BMG to run program clips and musicvideos on its free online service MSN Video.

Fare such as "South Park," "Pimp My Ride" and "Cribs" plus music videos from an eclectic range of performers including Elvis Presley and Britney Spears will be featured.

The deal with MTV covers nine countries -- initially Blighty, Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Sweden, with Belgium, Denmark and Norway to follow.

MTV and Microsoft intend to extend the agreement to other territories.

Gideon Bierer, senior vice prexy, digital media at MTV Intl. said, "We are overwhelmingly focused on the under-35s and this audience seized control (of content) on the Web and by phone a few years ago and they are not handing it over again. You can't just assume consumers are going to come to you, we have to also go to them."

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