Microsoft's MSN website is to make every episode of US sitcom “Arrested Development” available for free until 2009. Microsoft and FOX have reached an agreement that would give Microsoft exclusive rights to stream the entire three-season run of the cult favorite comedy "Arrested Development" on the MSN website.

The sitcom was canned because it wasn’t considered commercially viable enough to be re-commissioned. According to reports, this is the first time a major studio, such as FOX, has sold syndication rights to a web portal. MSN intend to stream the serial with display and video advertising. The revenue generated from the advertising will be split between Microsoft and FOX.

Rob Bennett, MSN's general manager of entertainment and video services was quoted as saying "The beauty of distributing an entire series online - especially a series like Arrested where the audience is so passionate - is that we can build an immersive world around the show. We want to build something where the fans will feel at home. This is a very large deal for us."

Microsoft intend to build an immersive and interactive offering, per say, around “Arrested Development”, something that would get users to get involved with the show rather than just download them off MSN.

“Arrested Development” is about the Bluth family, who are corrupt, incompetent but strangely successful. Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), who plays the character of the eldest son in the serial, has to manage keeping his dysfunctional family functioning while keeping afloat the family’s Orange County development company. The show received critical raves but still managed to maintain a small but loyal fan base.