MS CES 2008 Keynote: Disney-ABC, MGM Deal; 10M LIVE members; BT IPTV
07 January 2008, 04:00 PM
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MS CES 2008 Keynote: Disney-ABC, MGM Deal; 10M LIVE members; BT IPTV
The CES 2008 pre-show keynote with Bill Gates (for the last time) and Robbie Bach ended and no real major announcement has been made for the Xbox360 platform.
Microsoft made a deal with Disney-ABC and MGM for the US video marketplace, released some new numbers (17.7M sold consoles, 10M live members, ...) and announced a deal with BT in the UK for IPTV. At the end there was also a Guitar Hero 3 showdown, but neither Gates or Bach actually played (they did have a GH 'les paul' guitar around their neck tho
). And no, they didn't try to connect to Xbox LIVE on stage ... I wonder why
* Robbie Bach announced Microsoft shipped more than 17.7M Xbox 360 consoles (worldwide) and that LIVE just passed the 10 million member mark (gold and silver combined of course), 6 months earlier than Microsoft anticipated. The Xbox 360 console generated 3.58 billion USD during November 2007 which is 1 billion more than Nintendo did on Wii and 2 billion more than Sony did on the PS3. People also spend more on Xbox 360 games than on Wii and PS3 combined. The Xbox 360 console is now on track for the biggest year in video game history ever in the US.
* Deal with Disney-ABC and MGM announced. From the press release:
Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the leading high-definition video-on-demand service, is expanding once again, adding content from two major entertainment partners. Microsoft Corp. today announced at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that Disney-ABC Television Group and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) will be joining the more than 35 networks and studios offering U.S. Xbox LIVE members premium entertainment content via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store.
Later this month, all U.S. Xbox LIVE members will begin to have access to select TV shows and movies from the ABC Television Network, ABC Family, ABC News, Disney Channel and Toon Disney as part of an agreement with Disney-ABC Television Group. More than 500 hours of content, in both standard definition and high definition when available, will be offered including hit ABC Television shows "Lost," "Grey's Anatomy," "Ugly Betty" and "Desperate Housewives." Past and current ABC shows will be available on demand, with new episodes arriving on the service the day after they air on television. A variety of award-winning ABC News broadcasts and specials from its unparalleled archive dating back to 1963 and containing priceless interviews, stories and historical moments will be available for download as well.
MGM will be bringing its legendary movie library to the service, with classic films ranging from the "Rocky" series to "Dances with Wolves." Action-thrillers such as "Terminator," "Silence of the Lambs" and "The Amityville Horror," comedies and broad-appeal titles such as "Legally Blonde," "Barbershop" and "Agent Cody Banks," and award-winning films such as "Platoon," "Rain Man" and "The Usual Suspects" highlight the diverse launch lineup. United Artists, an MGM sister company, will be making films available as well. Many titles offered by MGM will be available in high definition.
Full press release: microsoft.com
Microsoft made a deal with Disney-ABC and MGM for the US video marketplace, released some new numbers (17.7M sold consoles, 10M live members, ...) and announced a deal with BT in the UK for IPTV. At the end there was also a Guitar Hero 3 showdown, but neither Gates or Bach actually played (they did have a GH 'les paul' guitar around their neck tho
). And no, they didn't try to connect to Xbox LIVE on stage ... I wonder why * Robbie Bach announced Microsoft shipped more than 17.7M Xbox 360 consoles (worldwide) and that LIVE just passed the 10 million member mark (gold and silver combined of course), 6 months earlier than Microsoft anticipated. The Xbox 360 console generated 3.58 billion USD during November 2007 which is 1 billion more than Nintendo did on Wii and 2 billion more than Sony did on the PS3. People also spend more on Xbox 360 games than on Wii and PS3 combined. The Xbox 360 console is now on track for the biggest year in video game history ever in the US.
* Deal with Disney-ABC and MGM announced. From the press release:
Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the leading high-definition video-on-demand service, is expanding once again, adding content from two major entertainment partners. Microsoft Corp. today announced at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that Disney-ABC Television Group and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) will be joining the more than 35 networks and studios offering U.S. Xbox LIVE members premium entertainment content via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store.
Later this month, all U.S. Xbox LIVE members will begin to have access to select TV shows and movies from the ABC Television Network, ABC Family, ABC News, Disney Channel and Toon Disney as part of an agreement with Disney-ABC Television Group. More than 500 hours of content, in both standard definition and high definition when available, will be offered including hit ABC Television shows "Lost," "Grey's Anatomy," "Ugly Betty" and "Desperate Housewives." Past and current ABC shows will be available on demand, with new episodes arriving on the service the day after they air on television. A variety of award-winning ABC News broadcasts and specials from its unparalleled archive dating back to 1963 and containing priceless interviews, stories and historical moments will be available for download as well.
MGM will be bringing its legendary movie library to the service, with classic films ranging from the "Rocky" series to "Dances with Wolves." Action-thrillers such as "Terminator," "Silence of the Lambs" and "The Amityville Horror," comedies and broad-appeal titles such as "Legally Blonde," "Barbershop" and "Agent Cody Banks," and award-winning films such as "Platoon," "Rain Man" and "The Usual Suspects" highlight the diverse launch lineup. United Artists, an MGM sister company, will be making films available as well. Many titles offered by MGM will be available in high definition.
07 January 2008, 04:01 PM
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BT and Microsoft announce partnership to deliver powerful, first-of-its-kind entertainment experience to consumers through Xbox 360
BT Vision IPTV customers will soon be able to receive best in gaming, TV and movies, all through Xbox 360
LAS VEGAS — January 7, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. and telecommunications leader BT announced they are bringing together the next generation TV service, BT Vision, with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 games and entertainment system. All BT broadband customers will have the unique opportunity to receive the best in high-definition gaming, television and movies through an Xbox 360, in a powerful, all-in-one entertainment experience. BT Vision, which is powered by the Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) platform, plans to make this first-of-its-kind device and service offering available to customers in the middle of 2008. The announcement was made during Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates’ CES keynote address Jan. 6.
The groundbreaking partnership will enable any BT Broadband customer to use an Xbox 360 to access the BT Vision service and its extensive library of on-demand content, giving instant access to hundreds of movies and thousands of hours of sporting events, television programming, music videos and other digital content, such as BT Vision Sport’s 242 ‘near-live’ FA Premier League football matches.
BT Vision customers with an Xbox 360 will gain the option of accessing BT Vision from either the Xbox 360 or a set-top-box. The service will be available to existing and future Xbox 360 owners.
BT Vision on Xbox will combine the richness of the Microsoft Mediaroom-enabled TV service, with the benefits of next-generation gaming, as well as unique new capabilities that the integrated solution brings. Xbox LIVE®, the largest online social network in the living room, will be seamlessly integrated into the experience, providing consumers with a wide range of community-based features, such as voice chat, sending and receiving text and voice messages, and accessing Xbox LIVE Marketplace, all while watching TV. For example, while a TV viewer is enjoying his favorite football game, he can receive a message from a friend inviting him to join a voice chat while watching the game, or they could play a game of their own with EA SPORTS™ “FIFA Soccer.”
Dan Marks, BT Vision CEO, said: “We are pleased to partner with Microsoft to deliver a truly compelling connected entertainment experience to our customers. For the first time consumers in the UK will be able to experience the advantages of an advanced TV service together with the benefits of next generation gaming. Our aim is to provide BT Vision on multiple platforms – giving customers greater convenience, control and flexibility over what they watch, when they watch and how they watch TV. It also means that we are able to potentially expand our BT Vision customer base by tapping into the popularity of Xbox 360.”
“This is an exciting moment in home entertainment,” said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Connected Television division at Microsoft. “Last year at CES, we announced Xbox 360 on Microsoft Mediaroom as a powerful platform capable of enabling new entertainment experiences for consumers, and we are pleased to team with BT to bring this service to market. Together we are enabling BT Vision customers to be the first in the world to enjoy this next-generation TV and gaming entertainment experience.”
BT Vision IPTV customers will soon be able to receive best in gaming, TV and movies, all through Xbox 360
LAS VEGAS — January 7, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. and telecommunications leader BT announced they are bringing together the next generation TV service, BT Vision, with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 games and entertainment system. All BT broadband customers will have the unique opportunity to receive the best in high-definition gaming, television and movies through an Xbox 360, in a powerful, all-in-one entertainment experience. BT Vision, which is powered by the Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) platform, plans to make this first-of-its-kind device and service offering available to customers in the middle of 2008. The announcement was made during Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates’ CES keynote address Jan. 6.
The groundbreaking partnership will enable any BT Broadband customer to use an Xbox 360 to access the BT Vision service and its extensive library of on-demand content, giving instant access to hundreds of movies and thousands of hours of sporting events, television programming, music videos and other digital content, such as BT Vision Sport’s 242 ‘near-live’ FA Premier League football matches.
BT Vision customers with an Xbox 360 will gain the option of accessing BT Vision from either the Xbox 360 or a set-top-box. The service will be available to existing and future Xbox 360 owners.
BT Vision on Xbox will combine the richness of the Microsoft Mediaroom-enabled TV service, with the benefits of next-generation gaming, as well as unique new capabilities that the integrated solution brings. Xbox LIVE®, the largest online social network in the living room, will be seamlessly integrated into the experience, providing consumers with a wide range of community-based features, such as voice chat, sending and receiving text and voice messages, and accessing Xbox LIVE Marketplace, all while watching TV. For example, while a TV viewer is enjoying his favorite football game, he can receive a message from a friend inviting him to join a voice chat while watching the game, or they could play a game of their own with EA SPORTS™ “FIFA Soccer.”
Dan Marks, BT Vision CEO, said: “We are pleased to partner with Microsoft to deliver a truly compelling connected entertainment experience to our customers. For the first time consumers in the UK will be able to experience the advantages of an advanced TV service together with the benefits of next generation gaming. Our aim is to provide BT Vision on multiple platforms – giving customers greater convenience, control and flexibility over what they watch, when they watch and how they watch TV. It also means that we are able to potentially expand our BT Vision customer base by tapping into the popularity of Xbox 360.”
“This is an exciting moment in home entertainment,” said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Connected Television division at Microsoft. “Last year at CES, we announced Xbox 360 on Microsoft Mediaroom as a powerful platform capable of enabling new entertainment experiences for consumers, and we are pleased to team with BT to bring this service to market. Together we are enabling BT Vision customers to be the first in the world to enjoy this next-generation TV and gaming entertainment experience.”
07 January 2008, 04:08 PM
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Not much use if you can't get (or don't want) the BT broadband service though. How about people with other (reliable) broadband packages?
07 January 2008, 04:12 PM
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I won't be moving from Zen for it, thats for sure 
The console will have to be a hell of a lot more reliable if its going to be used for TV too.
The console will have to be a hell of a lot more reliable if its going to be used for TV too.
07 January 2008, 05:11 PM
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Looking forward to the "oops we made ourselves look like completes cvnts again" statement from engadget.
How anybody can any "news" from that site seriously is beyond me, they are the Spong of the hardware world.
How anybody can any "news" from that site seriously is beyond me, they are the Spong of the hardware world.
08 January 2008, 08:57 AM
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They were the ones that started the rumours that propagated round the interweb about "Xbox 360 Ultimate" when it was announced that Gates would be making a keynote speech at CES.
Anyone with half a brain could see that it was bollocks, but that didn't stop sites like the BBC swallowing it
Anyone with half a brain could see that it was bollocks, but that didn't stop sites like the BBC swallowing it
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