Xbox 360 to get Sky in the UK

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 29th May 2009
Comments (14) Stumble
Xbox 360 to get Sky in the UK

Sky will be bringing the web-based Sky Player service to the Xbox 360 by the end of the year.

Microsoft and Sky have announced a new deal to bring Sky TV to the Xbox 360 in the UK by the end of the year, allowing gamers to watch Sky content on their gaming machines.

Unveiled at a very posh press event in London yesterday, Sky has confirmed that the system will essentially be a mirror of the existing online service, Sky Player, and will allow users to watch content both live and on-demand.

While content line-ups have been confirmed there seems to be a heavy focus on sports from both companies, with Sky and Microsoft both very excited to have Premier League football and Test Match cricket coverage on the console. That said, a number of other shows and genres have been mentioned - everything from Ross Kemp on Gangs to music videos and art shows.

Those of you who already have existing Sky subscriptions will essentially be able to use the Xbox 360 as a new way to access the content, but the main appeal is for those who aren't signed up to the satellite service. Neither Microsoft or Sky would talk about pricing, but a number of special packages will be unveiled in the future for those who want to access the content just through the Xbox 360. There should be a selection of packages to cater to most tastes, plus a pay-per-view system for popular shows.

The avatar system will be tied directly into the service too, letting groups watch the same show together in a virtual living room or stadium, able to communicate with each other via headset and emoticons.

"Our customers have told us that they want the opportunity to use their consoles as a way to access TV and once again Xbox has pulled off an entertainment first with amazing content and rich interactive experience," said UK Xbox chief Neil Thompson.

Let us know what you think of the system in the forums.
Quote Cupboard 29th May 2009, 10:54
oooh nice! I like the sound of this bit: "The avatar system will be tied directly into the service too, letting groups watch the same show together in a virtual living room or stadium, able to communicate with each other via headset and emoticons."
You could do some clever stuff with surround sound so that the sports sounds come from the front and crowds are mixed with friends at the rear. I bet it will be rubbish though :(

As this is streaming over the intertubes, I guess it won't be HD then?
Quote adam_bagpuss 29th May 2009, 10:56
sounds like a good plan, altohugh i worry about the pricing since xbox owners already pay to go online.

i use sky player on my PC cause my parents have sky at home. its awesome i have to say. been able to watch any film that is currently showing on sky movies for free kicks ass.
Quote liratheal 29th May 2009, 10:57
..Ross Kemp?

Sold. A dozen times over.

That douche is so funny, almost any price to see him make a **** of himself is worth it.

It better have Discovery Channel. Love that channel.
Quote I-E-D 29th May 2009, 11:08
Nice, could make me buy a Xbox 360 instead of a PC then.. or not...
Quote hodgy100 29th May 2009, 11:10
YAY......
Quote pimlicosound 29th May 2009, 11:33
It's intriguing, but I have to see details on pricing, content and image quality before I can get too excited. Also, I kind of wish this was on PS3, since I've already set one up as a media centre in my living room.
Quote itazura 29th May 2009, 12:15
sounds interesting -- i haven't used my 360 in a fair while, but that's only because i've been fed up of having nothing much to play since resident evil 5.

curious to see what pricing is like, but i guess since i already have sky, it doesn't matter too much.
Quote Teq 29th May 2009, 13:04
I Currently use my xbox to play TV and other media from my HTPC so this is a welcome addition, just hope they allow downloadable HD movies as that would be awesome :)
Quote badders 29th May 2009, 14:28
I'd say this was good, but Sky Player is a turd generally. :(
Quote proxymoron 29th May 2009, 15:49
It's not Netflix, though, is it?
Quote Flibblebot 29th May 2009, 18:24
Quote:
Originally Posted by liratheal
It better have Discovery Channel. Love that channel.
I agree, all of the Discovery channels are addictive.

I don't think they're included in Sky Player though - only the Sky channels (Sky 1,2,3, all the Sky Sports channels, all the Sky Arts channels and all the Sky Movies channels).

I'm sure Sky Player downloads content too, so I think it should be possible to get HD content - at the cost of space on your hard drive, though!
Quote Hypno 29th May 2009, 19:11
Its pretty cool. But i already have sky multi room
Quote mikeuk2004 29th May 2009, 20:35
If the film rental on xbox live is anything to go by its gonna be a rip off.
Quote BioSniper 29th May 2009, 21:36
Some screenshots:
http://www.gadgetoid.com/2009/05/29/live-and-on-demand-sky-tv-coming-to-an-xbox-360-near-you/
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