Earlier in the month it was reported that Microsoft would be launching “Live TV” as part of the Xbox 360’s upcoming dashboard refresh. It would supposedly feature live pay television from service like Comcast and Verizon, who have about 22.5 million and 3.8 million TV subscribers. Its interesting because now a far more reputable source other than an “insider” is reporting the same news, Bloomberg citing “people with knowledge of the situation.”
“Microsoft […] is in talks with almost two dozen providers of music, sports, movies and TV shows in the U.S. and Europe, and may announce an expanded Xbox Live streaming service as soon as next week, said one of the people, who weren’t authorized to speak publicly,” Bloomberg reports. But it’s not just Comcast and Verizon. Microsoft also “expects to sign deals with Time Warner Inc. (TWX)’s HBO cable channel, Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Crackle streaming service, NBC Universal’s Bravo and Syfy channels and Lovefilm UK, a subsidiary of Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN),” one of Bloomberg’s sources says.
This is exciting news if its true, it will definitely start to change and mold the way people interact with media and television and also engages more people to participate with Xbox Live services. Its a smart move on Microsofts behalf. Two of Bloomberg’s sources say that existing customers of both Comcast and Verizon will only need to prove they are pay-TV customers to gain access to the services on the Xbox.
I wonder if this means for people like me who live in a downtown area hate their cable provider because its not Comcast or Direct TV or even Verizon, and would love to switch but don’t have the option due to business territory lines in downtown sectors. Will we be able to sign up for Xbox Live TV? I guess we’ll see, maybe as soon as next week. This is exciting news indeed. What do our readers think, do you care, excited or don’t care? Post your thoughts or comments below.
Source: Bloomberg
