MUMBAI: NBC and Microsoft has formed a partnership that will offer MSN Video the exclusive rights to stream the entire first two episodes of NBC's upcoming drama series Heist on the Internet.

NBC will also provide MSN Video with a 16-minute special sneak-peek presentation of the debut episode from 14 March until the 22 March broadcast premiere
The episodes will be available as encores for one week after each of their airings, at 10 p.m., ET, on 22 and 29 March respectively.

NBC Universal Television Group chief marketing office John Miller said, "This relationship with Microsoft allows us to further enhance our marketing opportunities to draw attention to our shows from increasingly popular sites and formats.It's a perfect marriage of technology and content, and we believe it is also tailor-made to reach out to the target demographic for this hot new series."

Heist is directed by Doug Liman (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Bourne Identity) and written by Mark and Robb Cullen (FX's Lucky). The series is described as a fast-paced, serialized drama with an ensemble cast playing burglars who attempt one of the biggest heists in history - to simultaneously rob the most renowned jewellery stores on Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive during Academy Awards week. The series is produced by Hypnotic, NBC Universal Television Studio and Sony Pictures Television.

Reports also state that MSN.com will offer a Heist photo gallery, top billing on its TV and entertainment homepages, and promotion on the video homepage, among other placements.