Microsoft XBox to get cable TV channels

Users of Microsoft's Xbox gaming and entertainment platform can expect a bonus —cable television content— in time for the holidays. Microsoft announced nearly 40 TV content providers will provide programming over Xbox Live, with upcoming deals with providers in other countries. “Today’s announcement is a major step toward realizing our vision to bring you all the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, made easy," said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “Combining the world’s leading TV and entertainment providers with the power of Kinect for Xbox 360* and the intelligence of Bing voice search will make TV and entertainment more personal, social and effortless," he added. Among the partners rolling out new TV entertainment services on Xbox Live are AT&T, BBC, Comcast, HBO, Rogers, Telefónica, Televisa and Verizon. Microsoft said the new entertainment through its Xbox 360 becomes "instantly searchable, easily discoverable and enjoyable." The software giant said Xbox LIVE currently has 35 million members worldwide who spend 2.1 billion hours a month on the service, which saw three times the growth in video consumption last year. "Xbox 360 brings all your entertainment, friends and family together in one place. Now, easily switch from playing your favorite game with a friend out of state or even across the world to watching your favorite TV show with your family members on the same couch, all through Xbox LIVE. Ready to mix things up? Effortlessly switch from games to music to live TV and more, simply by telling your Xbox what you want to experience," it said. Unified dashboard Xbox LIVE will now have a unified dashboard for easier navigation, whether customers use Kinect or a controller, Microsoft said. With Kinect for Xbox 360, there is no need for remotes or buttons, Microsoft said. "Gone are the days of managing a handful of remote controls, trying to remember what movies are available from what service, and hunting back and forth across television inputs. Using voice search with Bing on Xbox, easily look across a variety of branded services and play the programming you want without ever raising a finger," it said. Sports Microsoft said the all-new ESPN on Xbox LIVE features thousands of live events and video highlights with enhanced personalization features, split-screen viewing and an updated interface content guide to help fans find the highlights from the teams and sports they care most about. Partners Sam Schwartz, president of Comcast Converged Products, said its recently launched next-generation Xfinity TV platform will bring Xfinity On Demand to a gaming console for the first time. He added Kinect’s voice and gesture controls will offer customers an innovative way to discover and enjoy Xfinity On Demand’s huge library of top shows and movies. “We are continually evolving the television experience to bring Xfinity TV subscribers more personalized ways to search, find and watch the content they love," he said. Eric Bruno, vice president of consumer and mass business product management for Verizon, added Microsoft and Verizon share a common vision towards a"borderless lifestyle." He said FiOS TV on the Xbox 360 "is an excellent example of how we’re working with market leaders to erase old technology borders to expand the FiOS TV experience and taking advantage of unique new features including voice- and gesture-control of live TV entertainment via Kinect." HBO Domestic Network Distribution & Marketing SVP Bernadette Aulestia said the teamup with Microsoft is another huge step to "deliver HBO’s acclaimed programming to our subscribers wherever and whenever they want it." Jeff Weber, vice president of video services, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, said the company looks forward to "more innovative features that will allow U-verse TV customers to use voice and gesture controls to manage their TV experience." Social, personal Xbox will allow users to share with friends. Share recommendations, and show the Xbox LIVE community what games one is playing, movies one is watching and music one is listening to. It also allows them to invite friends to join in, and even post game achievements and info about favorite movies directly to their Facebook walls. — TJD, GMA News