Monday, November 06, 2006

"Download-to-own" TV and Movies on your Xbox

Wow, talk about the War for the Living Room heating up (I think somebody's already used "Begun, the War for the Living Room has"; if not, dibs).

Microsoft just announced a new service will be launching on November 22 for Xbox Live Silver and Gold members, with 1,000 hours (200 in HD) available by year end.

From the press release:
"Beginning Nov. 22, on its first anniversary, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console in history to provide high-definition TV shows and movies directly to gamers in their living rooms."
Pricing hasn't been announced, but we'll get to buy and download clips -- in perpetuity (or close enough to count). Delete it? So what, download your paid-for content again.

For example, CBS will provide HD "download-to-own" shows including "CSI", "Jericho", "Numb3rs", and the original "Star Trek" (remastered for HD/Xbox 360).

Movies will work more like direct-rentals, where you need to watch the downloaded movie within 2 weeks, and once you start watching it, you've got to finish the whole thing in 24 hours.

OK, so Sony launches the PS3 Nov. 17. Less than a week later, Xbox 360 owners will be downloading high-def TV shows and movies. I wondered what Microsoft was going to do in response. And here's Nintendo, without even the ability to play DVDs -- and that may not matter enough to hurt them. Interesting.

Check out the additional info:

No comments: