FROM THIS autumn, owners of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 games console will be able to access Sky TV’s online service Sky Player and use interactive elements that both companies claim will be a world first.
“For Sky Sports specifically, we are looking to develop elements of interactivity that will allow communities of people to go online and interact in real time while watching a football match,” said Neil Thompson, head of Xbox UK and Ireland. They will also be able to check news and access fixtures, league tables and other on-demand information.
Xbox Live already lets gamers communicate via text, voice or video as they play, but the Sky deal will bring an added dimension to online communities, enabling users to watch the same TV events in a shared virtual environment.
Stephen Nuttall, director of Sky’s commercial group, called it a new twist on its existing FanZone service, “taking advantage of the Xbox communication capabilities”. The rest of the Sky Anytime programming will also be available to be streamed over the internet to the Xbox console in the same way as to a PC or laptop, with the exception of the download service that allows PC users to keep a film on their hard desk for a limited period.
Xbox users will be able watch live TV, on-demand pay-per-view programming and other channels that correspond with their Sky subscriptions. Software to enable the service will come through on one of the regular Xbox Live dashboard updates.
Neither party would comment on details of the Xbox Sky packages or costs. “We haven’t announced precise programmes or prices, but if you take the Sky Player model that’s available on the PC service then you won’t go far wrong,” said Mr Nuttall. He also did not confirm if the deal was exclusive to Xbox nor did he rule out the option of Sky partnering with Sony PlayStation.
The move can be seen as the latest step in Microsoft’s strategy to broaden the appeal of its games console and turn it into a one-stop home entertainment box.
Coming four days before the annual E3 computer games expo in Los Angeles, it is the first of several announcements Microsoft is expected to make to broaden the appeal of the Xbox.
Earlier this week, it announced that content for the Microsoft Zune, its iPod competitor that is only available in North America, will be available in Europe through the Xbox Live video marketplace. TV shows and films will be provided for instant streaming and download to rent or buy when the service launches this autumn.
