Microsoft inks TV, movie deals for Xbox
updated 10:10 am EST, Tue November 7, 2006
MS inks TV deals for Xbox
Microsoft has inked deals with CBS, MTV, Paramount, TBS, UFC, and Warner Bros. to bring TV shows to its Xbox 360 by the end of the year, which will directly compete with Apple's video iPod and the iTunes Music Store. The software giant is touting the new Xbox as the first gaming console in history to provide high-definition TV shows as downloads to own and movies to rent from the Xbox Live network, integrating gaming and entertainment in the living room. Microsoft plans to launch the new service on November 22nd, the fist anniversary of the Xbox 360. Content will include "CSI," "Jericho," "Numb3rs," and remastered "Star Trek" episodes alongside condensed versions of select NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races from "Race Rewind." Gamers will also have access to 50 fights from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as well as select episodes from the original season of "The Ultimate Figher" reality series.
Content slated for availability to Xbox 360 users by the end of the year includes Adult Swim's Robot Chicken and Aqua Teen Hunger Force; Comedy Central's South Park and the Chappelle Show; MTV's The Real World and Pimp My Ride; Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender and SpongeBob SquarePants; M:i:III, Nacho Libre, and Jackass: The Movie from Paramount Pictures; Spike TV's Carpocalypse and Raising the Roofs; Breaking Bonaduce and Hogan Knows Best from VH1; as well as The Matrix, Superman Returns, and Batman Forever from Warner Bros.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2001
can't say you didn't
see this coming.
MS is smart. They've been building the infrastructure for a while and all the pieces are in place.
It may not be as pretty as what Apple has in mind but they have the numbers to compete.
I wish Apple would team up with Sony and the PS3. MS is going to take a big bite of marketshare.