Microsoft Wednesday launched its MSN Video Downloads service, which will enable Windows Mobile devices such as PDAs and smartphones to download and view video programming.

The company said that the content comes from vendors such as MSNBC.com, Food Network and Fox Sports. The videos are downloadable to Windows Mobile devices that support Microsoft's Windows Media Player 10 Mobile.

"Today's announcement solidifies the continued momentum we've seen for portable video," John Pollard, Microsoft's director of Windows Mobile Applications, said in a statement. "With content from some of the most recognized brands in entertainment, MSN Video Downloads (allows) people to take their favorite television shows with them whether they are."

Subscribers select the content they want at the service's Web site. The content is then downloaded to a PC and managed by Windows Media Player 10 and, from there, can be synchronized with the mobile device.

The company said that subscribers can view what it called "a limited amount of free content." The price for the service is $19.95 per year.