Preview, first two episodes will go online

LOS ANGELES -- NBC is making another foray into non-traditional viewing of its shows, offering up the first two episodes of "Heist" online.

The network has teamed up with Microsoft to offer streaming video of "Heist's" premiere and second episode after they air. The show debuts Wednesday, March 22. Starting Tuesday (March 14), viewers will be able to see a 16-minute cut-down of the premiere on MSN Video, which will also host the episodes.

"This relationship with Microsoft allows us to further enhance our marketing opportunities to draw attention to our shows from increasingly popular sites and formats," says John Miller, chief marketing officer for NBC. "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 "Heist."

NBC has big enough hopes for "Heist" that it's given the show the 10 p.m. Wednesday timeslot that was previously the long-time home of "Law & Order." The venerable crime show will move to 9 p.m. Wednesdays starting next week.

The show stars Dougray Scott ("Dark Water," "Mission: Impossible 2") as a professional thief who hatches a plan to rob several Beverly Hills jewelry stores, simultaneously, during Oscar week. Michele Hicks ("The Shield") plays the detective tracking him down -- and his love interest. Steve Harris, ("The Practice"), Seymour Cassel ("The Life Aquatic"), Marika Dominczyk, David Walton, Billy Gardell ("Lucky") and Reno Wilson also star.

"Lucky" creators Robb and Mark Cullen created "Heist" and are executive producing with Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith"), who directed the first two episodes.