The first episode of “Barbershop: The Series,” a new show that premieres this Sunday, Aug. 14 at 10 p.m. EDT and PDT on SHOWTIME, 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://www.msnvideo.com. The “Barbershop” pilot will be available on MSN for eight consecutive days starting Aug. 14. 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,” said Mike Conte, general manager of MSN Marketplaces and Digital Media at Microsoft Corp. “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.”