BT Vision And Microsoft In Xbox 360 Partnership
Microsoft and BT have teamed up to bring together the BT Vision service and the entertainment system Xbox 360, giving all BT customers the opportunity to experience high-definition gaming, television and movies through the console.
BT Vision, powered by the Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) platform, plans to make this service available to customers in the middle of 2008.
The announcement was made during the keynote address by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Microsoft President Robbie Bach of the Entertainment & Devices Division at 2008 International CES on Jan 6.
The partnership will let any BT Broadband customer use an Xbox 360 console to access the BT Vision service and its library of on-demand content, giving access to movies and sporting events, television programming, music videos and other digital content, such as BT Vision Sport’s 242 “near-live” FA Premier League football matches (see BT Launches Sports Catch-Up Service).
BT Vision customers with an Xbox 360 console will gain the option of accessing BT Vision from either the Xbox 360 console or a set-top-box. The service will be available to existing and future Xbox 360 console owners.
Dan Marks, CEO of BT Vision, 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.”
Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Connected Television Division at Microsoft, said: “This is an exciting moment in home entertainment.
“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: 0207 469 2337 www.btplc.com Microsoft: 0870 60 10 100 www.microsoft.com/uk