BBC shows on Xbox Live?

By Ellie Gibson Published 10 September, 2007

Microsoft hopes so.

Microsoft is in talks with the BBC to bring the broadcaster's library of content, including high definition TV programmes, to Xbox Live.

Video content is already available via Live in North America from the likes of Disney, MTV and CBS. As reported by the Sunday Times, the company is now speaking to the BBC and other European content providers about similar deals.

The news was confirmed by Ross Honey, senior director for media at Microsoft’s content and partner strategy group. He said Microsoft is keen to offer BBC programmes via Live including high definition shows such as Planet Earth.

"We are working diligently on multiple fronts to make it happen," he said, adding, "The BBC is a great content provider."

At last month's Leipzig GCDC, Sony announced plans to launch a TV tuner with PVR functionality for PlayStation 3. The company has also signed a deal with Sky to offer content via PlayStation Network on a pay-per-view basis.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (37) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Fab4 #1 4 years ago

    If its BBC content, it should be free to UK residents.

  • woodnotes #2 4 years ago

    @ Fab4: Not going to happen. Bandwidth costs etc? It's not like BBC DVDs are free either.

  • penhalion #3 4 years ago

    Dr Who....nuff said

  • mcmonkeyplc #4 4 years ago

    Shit yeah! Free BBC MOTD in high def please.

    Well it probably wont be free but you know. Oh and Top gear!!

  • woodnotes #5 4 years ago

    I think they should put everything on there except Dr Who

  • geepersd #6 4 years ago

    @woodnotes - if it uses the same terms as the iplayer then it could well happen - with content over 7 days old being microsofts standard video pricing.

    the beebs looking to make the iplayer available on more formats and xbox 360 seems and easier build then a mac at this point (at a guess of the top o' me head like)

  • Fab4 #7 4 years ago

    It doesnt cost you to use the iPlayer, so it shouldnt cost you to get it on XBL. M$ can make their bandwidth costs from foreigners.

  • sanctusmortis #8 4 years ago

    You mean, downloadable HD Blue Planet?

    SQUEEEEEE!

    And they might put up good comedy - Red Dwarf! Blackadder! Other shows that are funny but not either of these!

  • woodnotes #9 4 years ago

    McMonkey, now you're just being silly. I can understand wanting to watch wildlife docs and drama in HD, but Top Gear? Why the hell would you want to pay to watch that in HD?

  • t8yman #10 4 years ago

    at fab4, it is free- on your telly

  • Hughes. #11 4 years ago

    The BBC aren't in any hurry to make there iPlayer, or there other video streaming doo-dads compatible with anything other than Windows either, I wonder why they're so keen to suck MS's love-blobs?

    £$£$£$£$$£$£$£$

  • Fab4 #12 4 years ago

    @t8yman - its also free on iPlayer

  • woodnotes #13 4 years ago

    @ geepersd: But iPlayer is owned by the BBC. Xbox Live is owned by MS, also uses MS' servers etc. MS will want a cut on every download, and they can't have a cut of nothing. It just isn't likely to happen.

  • Fab4 #14 4 years ago

    Yes, at the moment iPlayer is restricted in its content, but the future plans are for ALL BBC content to be available. As I said, M$ can make their cut from foreigners who dont pay their license fee.

  • geepersd #15 4 years ago

    well I know the servers are MS (ish), but free BBC content would seem a winner for both parties. MS would still have their current system for paid stuff for BBC archive shows like Blue Planet etc. And if it's possible to get an iplayer style system for 7 day old content with either bbc hosting or the iplayer's torrent system then I imagine it's being vwery seriously considered.

  • Greebo #16 4 years ago

    The BBC can sell you their programmes on DVD in the UK, so there's no reason why an online store couldn't charge for them either.

    Edit: Opps, Woodnotes got this point in first.

    Good point there Woodnotes!
    Edited by 1 at 10/09/07 @ 09:55

  • DanWhitehead #17 4 years ago

    If you're able to download and keep the shows on your hard drive then I'd expect a fee to be charged, just as if you'd bought them on DVD. If the shows are rental only, then you could argue that it's no different to watching them online at the BBC website, and therefore should be free. But really, provided they continue to broadcast their shows free-to-air, the BBC is under no obligation to provide them for free in other media.

  • Xerx3s #18 4 years ago

    "We are working diligently on multiple fronts to make it happen,"

    A bit late, isn't it? You should have been working on this ages ago. Don't expect a thank for this half arsed attempt.

  • Xerx3s #19 4 years ago

    Fab4: M$ can make their bandwidth costs from foreigners.

    And us foreigners will say: Fuck off and pay your own bill.

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #20 4 years ago

    I've predicted this for a while, what with the iplayer and stuff. I imagine it will be free, at least for a while (maybe pay for older stuff), as the BBC's whole policy is to offer the last week's programming for free.

    I imagine if you want to download an entire series of Doctor Who, however, that'll cost ya; as others have said, you still pay for DVDs.

  • Fab4 #21 4 years ago

    @xerx3s - and that is their perogative. I cant see why I would pay for content I could easily get on iPlayer though, so I could just as easily tell M$ to 'fuck off'.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #22 4 years ago

    The BBC (and Channel 4, too) provide their 7-day catch-up content completely free to Virgin Media customers. The BBC also put some extra HD stuff like Bleak House, Planet Earth or later with Jools Holland up, too. Top Gear isn't filmed in HD, by the way.

    That's a proprietary network with controlled hardware and a base subscription rate, just like Xbox Live is, so I'd expect exactly the same pricing policy to be in force, in other words if it happens, it'll be free.

    Not that I care since I get all that already anyway (and paid-for HD films on demand) without waiting for hours for things to download before I can watch them.

  • Fab4 #23 4 years ago

    They may not ever get it done, but it is their intention to do so.

  • Xerx3s #24 4 years ago

    Fab4: Then by all means, do so. But don't go around telling people like me to pick up the bill for your costs.

  • Fab4 #25 4 years ago

    I can express my opnion on anything I like Xerx3s. I dont live in a police state just yet.

  • Xerx3s #26 4 years ago

    cue conversation killer.

  • The_Inquisitor #27 4 years ago

    Oh great, Celebrity Ice Skating on my 360, just what I've been praying for.

  • Spong #28 4 years ago

    Ooh you lucky lucky Xbox Live subscribers.
    Just imagine, all the episodes of Antiques Roadshow you can handle. In HD. Wow! I'm so jealous.

    "Top Gear isn't filmed in HD, by the way."

    It most certainly bloody is. And it's broadcast on BBC HD.
    Edited by 1 at 10/09/07 @ 11:47

  • Penguinzoot #29 4 years ago

    "Top Gear isn't filmed in HD, by the way."

    It most certainly bloody is. And it's broadcast on BBC HD.


    The recent polar special definitely was ..... don't know about the normal series.

  • DUFFMAN5 #30 4 years ago

    I still have my Southpark Fun with Weapons download and it looks feckin great. Put some good programs on and I would be more than a bit interested.

  • Dizzy #31 4 years ago

    I would kill for BBC1/2 on my 360.

    That means I can finally get rid of my TV license, I don't watch any other channels. TV sucks.

  • Mashum #32 4 years ago

    They can turn out a Java iPlayer for the PS3 / Mac / whatever as well then. Fed up with watching stuff on unwieldy and low res youtube on the PS3.

  • bengray66 #33 4 years ago

    Free BBC for all! (uk)
    Boooooooooo (europe)
    No Free BBC for all? (europe)
    Boooooooooo (still europe)
    Free BBC for some, No Free BBC for others!
    Hoorah! (uk)

    Is exactly how the press announcement will go.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #34 4 years ago

    They can turn out a Java iPlayer for the PS3 / Mac / whatever as well then

    Something tells me that getting Microsoft's proprietary DRM technology on to Microsoft's proprietary console platform, so the BBC's content can act as a system selling point will be magically a lot easier than translating the whole lot to a cross-platform generic system.

  • Dizzy #35 4 years ago

    >They can turn out a Java iPlayer for the PS3 / Mac / whatever as well then.

    Java??? Who still uses Java? I am sure a Shockwave version is planned.

  • secombe #36 4 years ago

    This may seem like an obvious point, but not owning a 360 I can't be sure. Isn't the Hard Drive going to fill up VERY quickly? I know the Elite will go someway to solving that, but HD content is going use an awful lot of space considering they apparently offer (or are going to offer) 'television shows, movies, music, pictures, trailers, extra game levels, demos and other content available from Xbox Live Marketplace'

    Can you delete stuff and re-download it for free like you can with VC content on the Wii?
    Edited by 1 at 10/09/07 @ 18:36

  • InsoFox #37 4 years ago

    "Content downloaded with iPlayer can be streamed from your PC to the 360. It's a DRM protected WMV, the 360 can play it, I know because I tried it. "

    Thanks for that bit of info, I'll have to try it.