Microsoft unveil Xbox Live TV deals

[Dark Drakan]

Finally after months of speculation Microsoft have revealed that they have struck a deal with nearly 40 TV companies (depending on your region) including BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5 (UK) to get their respective on demand services onto the 360. Full list is as follows (existing and new partners):​

• ABC iView - Australia
• AlloCiné - France, Germany, Spain, U.K.
• Antena 3 - Spain
• Astral Media's Disney XD - Canada
• AT&T** - U.S.
• BBC - U.K.
• blinkbox - U.K.
• Bravo - U.S.
• BSkyB** - U.K.
• Canal+* - France, Spain
• Channel 4 - U.K.
• Channel 5 - U.K.
• CinemaNow (Best Buy) - U.S.
• Comcast - U.S.
• Crackle - Australia, Canada, U.K., U.S.
• Dailymotion - Available in 32 markets
• EPIX - U.S.
• ESPN** - U.S.
• Facebook** - Available in all 35 Xbox LIVE markets
• FOXTEL** - Australia
• GolTV - Spain
• HBO GO - U.S.
• Hulu - Japan
• Hulu +**- U.S.
• iHeartRadio (Clear Channel) - U.S.
• Last.fm** - U.K., U.S.
• LOVEFiLM - Germany, U.K.
• Manga Entertainment - U.S.
• Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment/Real Sports - Canada
• MediaSet - Italy
• MSN with MSNBC.com - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, U.K.
• MUZU.TV - France, Germany, Italy, Spain, U.K.
• Netflix**- Canada, U.S.
• Rogers On Demand Online (RODO) - Canada
• RTVE - Spain
• SBS On Demand - Australia
• Syfy - U.S.
• Telefonica - Spain
• Televisa - Mexico
• "The Today Show" - U.S.
• TELUS** - Canada
• TMZ - U.S.
• Twitter** - Available in all 35 Xbox LIVE markets
• UFC - Canada, U.S.
• Verizon - U.S.
• VEVO - Canada, U.K., U.S.
• VimpelCom** - Russia
• Vodafone Portugal** - Portugal
• YouTube - Available in 22 markets
• ZDF - Germany
• Zune** - Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain

Its unclear what the pricing will be and what services will be free or included with Xbox Live Gold Subscriptions as of yet...​

 

[Tyloric]

I am actually really excited about this. I might actually cancel my cable service, because quite a few decent stations will now be on my Xbox.

We'll see how things turn out.

 

[Dark Drakan]

I am actually really excited about this. I might actually cancel my cable service, because quite a few decent stations will now be on my Xbox.

We'll see how things turn out.

I like this too, would save me and my girlfriend crowding around my laptop to watch things.

 

[Zarkes]

[LONG POST INTERESTING FACTS]

No way? I used to say how the videogame industry was serious business, no one took me seriously. This is all speculation but I theorized that Microsoft would take over the Tv territory and apple was trying to take over mobile territory, they already had the Ipod and they made the Iphone shortly after I stated such.(This is also why I believe Microsoft focused on it's console and never made a portable device a sort of unspoken agreement, but now Jobbs is gone..maybe)

I was put off because Microsoft didn't seem to be capatilizing on the 360 which is a high end computer right there next to the Tv. But then after the console update (with the avi's) they made Netflix and Hulu along with Last.fm and all those slots on my dashboard became somewhat useful. Seems now there will be full broadcasting capabilities and Xbox(microsoft) will be able to do everything you'd want to on a Tv. Gaming, television, movies. DVD players, on demand, defeated.

This was why when the next gen consoles were to be released Microsoft and Sony were rushing to the production lines and releasing their product as soon as possible. Remember all those faulty Xboxes they had to fix for free (mine included). They rushed and didn't make a good quality Xbox because of Sony and their PS3. They were in a race to victory for supremacy in the field. Sony screwed up because it had to have blueray on every console so they'd be the only ones to have the advantage, they cost like what 400$ but really the product cost 600$ to make because of the blueray they had to get a foothold over the 360, all those PS3's they sold really the entire time they were losing money, shows what I'm assuming is correct, but blue ray ended up not bieng that big of a deal. Luckily PS3 offers free internet, but Xbox is delving into the web thoroughly examples like Facebook, netflix.

And this is all coming from the videogame industry! I think by next gen everyone will be looking to consoles for the best quality in entertainment weather they play games or not.

Just my thoughts do you guys think my observations are correct? and I'm all to ready to dump my sh** cable for the console all I really need is Netflix honestly.

 

[Dark Drakan]

I think that after they have got all the services up and running properly and internet speeds are able to keep up with demand and streaming (Uks speeds are poor compared to lots of places). Then we will see consoles take a real foothold in the entertainment area.

 

[Skotekal]

I'm down, as long as it is a separate fee. I don't really watch TV that much.

 

[Dark Drakan]

I'm down, as long as it is a separate fee. I don't really watch TV that much.

I think they should have most included in the price of Xbox Live Gold personally and if you already have the channels on your TV package anyway then they should be free. Strange how Syfy, ESPN and Bravo are listed as US when we get them here in UK too.

 

[Skotekal]

I think they should have most included in the price of Xbox Live Gold personally and if you already have the channels on your TV package anyway then they should be free. Strange how Syfy, ESPN and Bravo are listed as US when we get them here in UK too.

Well that would be great, but I was thinking more along the lines of Microsoft making a subscription more expensive.

 

[Dark Drakan]

Well that would be great, but I was thinking more along the lines of Microsoft making a subscription more expensive.

Id have thought they would have the business sense to try and keep the entertainment and gaming seperate. Or if it is going to be included in the package then include it in the cost, with PSN steering towards a paid service too with PSN Plus they should be able to afford to include more things in their price.