Advanced Television

Pay TV headed for Xbox

September 30, 2011

Microsoft is said to be planning a Web-based pay-TV service that it can build onto its Xbox Live platform say US reports. Microsoft is working with Comcast and Verizon to bring TV to the Xbox 360 connected game console. Within the next few weeks, Comcast will make Xfinity On Demand content available to Xbox users, while FiOS TV will make its full video service available. AT&T has offered U-verse TV customers an option to use Xboxes as set-tops since last year.

 

 

The software company is also in talks with two dozen content companies, as according to a Bloomberg report. The menu of programming will include music, movies, sports, and TV shows.

 

Microsoft unveiled its live-television service at the E3 gaming expo in June and said that it would “partner with TV providers’ for its offering.”

 

 

Bloomberg reports Microsoft also expects to sign licensing deals with Time Warner’s HBO cable channel, Sony Pictures’ Crackle streaming service, and NBC Universal’s Bravo network.

 

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