BBC shows on Xbox Live? News
Xbox 360 News by Ellie Gibson
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.
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Comments: 1-37 of 37 in total
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mcmonkeyplc
10/09/07 @ 08:38
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Shit yeah! Free BBC MOTD in high def please.
Well it probably wont be free but you know. Oh and Top gear!! |
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@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) |
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sanctusmortis
10/09/07 @ 08:39
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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! |
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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.
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DanWhitehead
10/09/07 @ 08:55
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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.
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Britesparc
10/09/07 @ 09:24
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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. |
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Mentalist(air)
10/09/07 @ 09:56
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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. |
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The_Inquisitor
10/09/07 @ 10:25
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Oh great, Celebrity Ice Skating on my 360, just what I've been praying for.
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Penguinzoot
10/09/07 @ 10:51
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"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. |
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Mentalist(air)
10/09/07 @ 12:43
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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. |
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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 1 times,
most recently on 10/09/07 @ 18:36
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Comments: 1-37 of 37 in total
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