CES 2008: BT is first 360 IPTV partner

via Games Industry


Microsoft and BT have announced that Xbox 360 owners will be able to access IPTV service BT Vision this summer.

The service will offer "hundreds of movies and thousands of hours" of sporting events, TV programming, music videos and other digital services for users with a BT Broadband connection.

"We are pleased to partner with Microsoft to deliver a truly compelling connected entertainment experience to our customers," said Dan Marks, CEO of BT Vision.

"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," he added.

BT Vision customers will be able to access the service via Xbox 360 or set-top box. Xbox Live features will be integrated into the service, allowing users to send and receive messages while playing games or watching TV content.

"This is an exciting moment in home entertainment," said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Connected Television Division at Microsoft.

"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," added Rodriguez.

BT works with all three console manufacturers in the UK on a number of gaming related partnerships.

Nintendo and BT launched Wi-Fi Connection hotspots for the DS in more than 600 retail stores across the country in 2006, and last year it revealed a partnership with Sony for the PSPs Go! Messenger service.