(12 August 2005 8:00 pm)

MUMBAI: The first episode of Barbershop: The Series, a new show that premieres on 14 August on ShowTime in the US, will be available for streaming in its entirety on MSN Video simultaneously with the series debut.

The first episode of the half-hour comedy series, which focuses on the interplay between an eclectic staff of haircutters and their customers at a Chicago barbershop, also can be viewed free at http://msnvideo.com.

The Barbershop pilot will be available on MSN for eight consecutive days starting 14 August. In addition, MSN Video will feature behind-the-scenes content and clips from each of the series episodes throughout the season for free.

"We're thrilled to be working with ShowTime, a member of MSN Video since our launch of the service in January 2004, to introduce this edgy and inventive series to our extensive network of unique users. Consumers can expect to see even more examples of original programming on MSN Video, which continues to attract high-quality content, exceptional advertising support and fast-growing viewership," said Microsoft Corp general manager of MSN Marketplaces and Digital Media Mike Conte.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce our outstanding ShowTime programming to a whole new audience. We're confident that once people get a taste of this terrific new series Barbershop, they'll want to sign up for ShowTime," said ShowTime executive vice president Mark Greenberg.

Based on the MGM hit movie franchise of the same name, the ShowTime original series Barbershop stars Omar Gooding as Calvin, the owner of the shop where the trials and tribulations of life on Chicago's South Side unfold.

The cast also features Gbenge Akinnagbe, Anna Brown, Wes Chatham, Leslie Elliard, Barry Shabaka Henley, Toni Trucks and Dan White.

Barbershop: The Series is the first ShowTime original series episode to be streamed in its entirety on MSN Video, which also features many short-form clips and behind-the-scenes videos from other ShowTime series and movies including Weeds.

Weeds, a new comedy series from ShowTime and Lions Gate Television starring Mary-Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins, Kevin Nealon and Justin Kirk, exposes the dirty little secrets that lie behind pristine suburban lawns. Parker stars as a soccer mom who resorts to selling weed to support her family after her husband unexpectedly dies.