Microsoft are to sign deals with major television and music networks to offer more entertainment through MSN.

Microsoft have already signed deals with Viacom (owner of MTV) and Sony BMG, with plans to offer more content over the MSN website (www.msn.com/ www.msn.co.uk), in order to compete with, Google owned, YouTube.

The new deal will mean European versions of the MSN website, predominately the United Kingdom, France and Germany, will have access to the extensive back-catalogue of Sony BMG, and the live music archive of MTV.

Artists such as Alicia Keys, Franz Ferdinand, George Michael and Westlife, signed to Sony BMG, will have their content distributed through MSN Europe.

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