Microsoft has announced that it is ending it’s Silverlight Streaming beta. Silverlight Streaming is a free-hosting service for Silverlight applications and videos that is part of Windows Live. Microsoft will replace the service with a new, fee-based service using Windows Azure, which is expected to appear by the end of 2009

Microsoft says that Silverlight Streaming beta sign-ups have been halted, and the service “will eventually be taken down,” along with all existing content. Microsoft assures users there content is safe and they’ll be given plenty of warning before it goes away. Instructions for retrieving Silverlight Streaming content for PC and Mac users are available at the Live Services Blog.

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