The UK-based online DVD rental service specialist Video Island announced this week partnerships with MSN and Comet . MSN.co.uk is forming a new partnership with Video Island - which sees the creation of "MSN DVD Rental" within the MSN Entertainment Channel. Under the terms of the agreement between MSN and Video Island, MSN's 16.2 million users will now have access to Video Island's 15,000 DVD titles.

"We are delighted to have partnered with Video Island to offer online DVD rental to a whole new audience. This is a brilliant service - users will find MSN DVD Rental quick, convenient and easy to use," said Chris Ward, Commercial Director MSN UK.

Saul Klein, CEO Video Island, added, "Video Island has built a business designed to bring subscription DVD rentals to a mass-market with the largest national brands. Working with MSN will enable millions of people in the UK to experience the unrivalled selection, convenience and value of unlimited DVD rentals."

Video Island also announced that it has joined forces with Comet, one of the UK's largest out of town electrical retailers, to promote Video Island as a value add service to Comet customers. The partnership will give Video Island a presence across all of Comet's 250 retail outlets and will also be promoted to its customer base via web and email channels.

To capitalize on the size of the market opportunity, Video Island secured financial backing in 2003 from global venture capital firms Benchmark and Index Ventures , who have been behind e-commerce powerhouses such as Ebay and Betfair, as well Redbus plc - recently named as the number one in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 and Robin Klein, Chairman of Retail Variations.