So it seems like Microsoft is confirming that they have added a lineup of different TV services that we should be seeing come the holiday season. On the console, the TV content will be accessible through an interface that can be controlled with the Kinect motion and voice sensor, as well as traditional controllers.
“Today’s announcement is a major step toward realizing our vision to bring you all the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, made easy,” Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, said in the release. “Combining the world’s leading TV and entertainment providers with the power of Kinect for Xbox 360* and the intelligence of Bing voice search will make TV and entertainment more personal, social and effortless.”
From the reports I have read this comes with Comcast Xfinity, HBO Go, Verizon FiOS, Bravo, Crackle, Syfy, TMZ, UFC and the Today Show in just the US. THere are more partners in the UK such as BBC, Lovefilm, and Channel 4 and Channel 5. There will be some differences in the products, it looks like Comcast will be doing something like an On Demand content and no broadcast channels and it looks like Verizon is providing around 24 cable channels but there will be no local stations. This is a big move for Microsoft and shows why they are the true leader in the online gaming world of consoles.