Xbox 360 and Sky announce console TV service

Posted by Al Warmington on Fri 29 May 2009

Satellite dishes are so last century

Microsoft has confirmed that Sky Player will be coming to the Xbox 360 console this autumn.

The announcement follows a series of leaks which spilled the beans on the service, and now T3 can confirm that the satellite broadcaster has indeed signed a landmark deal with the console maker, making the Xbox 360 in the first console ever to offer live TV streaming. Unless you count the Sega Game Gear TV Tuner.

Sky users will probably already recognise the Sky Player name – it’s Sky’s online streaming service that lets you access premium Sky content from your computer. Basically, this is the same deal, except you’ll be using your Xbox instead of a computer.

The Xbox 360’s online capabilities have meant that such a service has been theoretically possible since the console first launched, however, a lack of internet browser has meant that Microsoft console has missed out on things like BBC iPlayer, which is now supported on both PS3 and Wii. Neil Thompson, head of Xbox Europe, said "We’re constantly looking to how we evolve the entertainment offering on the platform. For the UK, Sky is the premier content provider. In terms of the content they have, we found it incredibly compelling." Likewise, Director of BSkyB Stephen Nuttall said of Microsoft's console that Sky had "worked with Microsoft form the beginning of Sky's putting content online, and has benefitted Benefited enormously from it. Working together is a natural extension of the range of things we do with Microsoft."

Full details of what’ll be on offer for Xbox 360 will be unveiled closer to the launch, but Microsoft promises there’ll be movies, TV shows, documentaries and sports, available live and through the on-demand service.

The bad news? You’ll have to pay for it, but at the moment it doesn’t look like it’ll be restricted to Xbox LIVE Gold subscribers, a restriction that has marred the Xbox 360 Netflix service in the USA. Of course, if you already have a Sky subscription, you’re covered, and new customers will be able to sign up through their console directly. No prices were being announced.

In addition to the various channels on offer, Sky will provide additional services using the broadband connection. Sports showings, for example, will come with news, fixture listings, league tables and other on-demand information, as well as other ‘interactive applications’ such as the ability to watch football matches whilst speaking to friends via Xbox headsets and interactinv with Avatars in a digital executive box.

Keep your eyes on Xbox Live this autumn for the full launch.

Link: Xbox, Sky Player

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