Microsoft launched its MSN Video Player, a video-on-demand service that enables U.K. consumers to watch TV anytime, anywhere at no extra charge.

The product, which has been piloted since August, has an expanded library of content amounting to over 1,000 hours of the U.K.'s top TV shows such as Kingdom, Waterloo Road and Skins, the company said. Many of these are available in High Definition, or HD.

Further content deals have been signed with other providers including Endemol, the Dutch producer of reality-television program Big Brother, All3Media, Shed Media and the BBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide.

"The combined MSN Video and MSN Video Player will enable viewers to watch both TV shows and movies along with music videos, movie trailers, news and TV clips," said Microsoft.

"We will continue to innovate in this space and work with advertisers, content owners and distributors," said Ashley Highfield, Managing Director of Consumer & Online, Microsoft UK.

A Microsoft spokeswoman said there are currently no plans to roll out the service in other regions.

Microsoft's new service comes as Project Canvas, a service that would bring Internet content and new video-on-demand options to TV, is also set to launch in the U.K. later this year.