(image source: Microsoft)


BY EVAN THOMAS

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

Coming soon: TV and video entertainment, on your Xbox. Microsoft has signed deals with nearly 40 content providers and networks to bring more streaming television content to its Xbox consoles.

WRTV has more.

“Comcast and Verizon will begin streaming TV programming to Microsoft's Xbox 360 this holiday season. The companies say the programming will go through Comcast' s X-finity service and Verizon's Fios service. Microsoft also announced that more than 40 of the world' s entertainment and TV providers will be joining Comcast and Verizon by streaming content to the Xbox.”

But before you go getting all excited, the Washington Post points out, None of this content is going to be free.

“To take advantage of the upcoming feature, users must already be subscribers to the content. You’ll also have to be a member of Microsoft’s $60 per year Xbox Live Gold service.”

And CNET points out, users probably won’t be getting discounts, or the ability to stream unlimited content for a monthly rate like they can with Netflix.

“Quit dreaming. Microsoft has a solid track record of playing by the rules laid down by content owners. Film and TV execs don't want another subscription service to offer its content at cut-rate prices...”

But there’s at least one upside, according to the New York Times. Getting content through the Xbox might just eliminate a familiar hassle.

“O.K., that might be the dawning of a reasonable alternative in our household to searching under couches and through buckets of toys for the remote control. Still shy of a New Era.”

Dvice agrees and hopes Microsoft further develops the concept in its later hardware.

“But it's a great start! I'm hoping this points towards the next-gen Xboxactually working as a fully-fledged cable box, allowing us to toss out one power-hungry piece of equipment from under our TVs.”


According to Microsoft, this content will roll out worldwide on Xbox consoles this holiday season.