MS CES 2008 Keynote: Disney-ABC, MGM Deal; 10M LIVE members; BT IPTV Options

[Xbox-Scene]

MS CES 2008 Keynote: Disney-ABC, MGM Deal; 10M LIVE members; BT IPTV Posted by XanTium | January 6 21:24 EST | News Category: Xbox360

The CES 2008 pre-show keynote with Bill Gates (for the last time) and Robbie Bach ended and no real major announcement has been made for the Xbox360 platform. Microsoft made a deal with Disney-ABC and MGM for the US video marketplace, released some new numbers (17.7M sold consoles, 10M live members, ...) and announced a deal with BT in the UK for IPTV. At the end there was also a Guitar Hero 3 showdown, but neither Gates or Bach actually played (they did have a GH 'les paul' guitar around their neck tho ;)). And no, they didn't try to connect to Xbox LIVE on stage ... I wonder why ;) * Robbie Bach announced Microsoft shipped more than 17.7M Xbox 360 consoles (worldwide) and that LIVE just passed the 10 million member mark (gold and silver combined of course), 6 months earlier than Microsoft anticipated. The Xbox 360 console generated 3.58 billion USD during November 2007 which is 1 billion more than Nintendo did on Wii and 2 billion more than Sony did on the PS3. People also spend more on Xbox 360 games than on Wii and PS3 combined. The Xbox 360 console is now on track for the biggest year in video game history ever in the US. * Deal with Disney-ABC and MGM announced. From the press release: [QUOTE] Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the leading high-definition video-on-demand service, is expanding once again, adding content from two major entertainment partners. Microsoft Corp. today announced at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that Disney-ABC Television Group and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) will be joining the more than 35 networks and studios offering U.S. Xbox LIVE members premium entertainment content via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store. Later this month, all U.S. Xbox LIVE members will begin to have access to select TV shows and movies from the ABC Television Network, ABC Family, ABC News, Disney Channel and Toon Disney as part of an agreement with Disney-ABC Television Group. More than 500 hours of content, in both standard definition and high definition when available, will be offered including hit ABC Television shows "Lost," "Grey's Anatomy," "Ugly Betty" and "Desperate Housewives." Past and current ABC shows will be available on demand, with new episodes arriving on the service the day after they air on television. A variety of award-winning ABC News broadcasts and specials from its unparalleled archive dating back to 1963 and containing priceless interviews, stories and historical moments will be available for download as well. MGM will be bringing its legendary movie library to the service, with classic films ranging from the "Rocky" series to "Dances with Wolves." Action-thrillers such as "Terminator," "Silence of the Lambs" and "The Amityville Horror," comedies and broad-appeal titles such as "Legally Blonde," "Barbershop" and "Agent Cody Banks," and award-winning films such as "Platoon," "Rain Man" and "The Usual Suspects" highlight the diverse launch lineup. United Artists, an MGM sister company, will be making films available as well. Many titles offered by MGM will be available in high definition. [/QUOTE] Full press release: microsoft.com * Bach announced that BT (British Telecom) will be the first cable provider to allow you to buy an Xbox 360 that can be used as a set-top box for IPTV. You can also read Engadget's LIVE blog-reporting here.

[cabose369]

no XBOX 360 Ultimate with HD DVD drive like everyone said there would be... lol!

[running_wild]

no XBOX 360 Ultimate with HD DVD drive like everyone said there would be... lol!

lol - Microsoft have been saying from day one: "NO INTERNAL HD-DVD DRIVES!"
Anywho, so - does this mean the world outside the US can look forward to nothing new for the 360?
Sounds like fun

[Mr Invader]

Was that Microsoft's only presentation for this CES? Is there nothing more to announce for the xbox 360 or anything?
I wanted to hear Bill or Robb's response to the format war and what they have planned for HD-DVD... if anything...

Still, it was an excellent keynote.

[MercilessGunner]

I want to know more about IPTV and the XBOX 360!

[readmore]

yawn, nothing new

[cabose369]

* Bach announced that BT (British Telecom) will be the first cable provider to allow you to buy an Xbox 360 that can be used as a set-top box for IPTV.

I can see it now....

Lady: Thank you for calling British Telecom Customer Service... how may I be of assistance to you today.

Customer: Uh... hi. I got a problem. My set-top box has 3 flashing red light ring thingies and I can't watch TV. Do you know what's wrong?

Lady: Yes, you are going to have to send it in for repair...

Customer: So how I am supposed to watch TV?

Lady: I don't really know.

ROALMFAO!

[fiya]

ok ....

so if they offer x360s as set top boxes, then the install base over there could increase considerably.

Those Video marketplace deals sound crazy!

marketplace is getting huge

[DoTsTeR]

actually this is HUGE

MGM has the largest modern film library in the world

[RiPpN-N-TrIppN]

haha u havnt seen mine

[Altima NEO]

Doesnt Sony own MGM?

[axess68]

Wow! What an exciting keynote..........yawn......snore.....

Nothing new. I'll bet they spent the bulk of their time talking about financial numbers. That's really all Robbie cares about anyway $$$$$$$$$. Bill isn't really into it anymore because he's on his way out the door. CES is supposed to be a place to spotlight new technologies and wow the attendees with them. IPTV? I can get shows on my 360 that I already get on my HD Cable by paying MORE?? Where do I sign up?

Good god, where has the innovation gone??

This post has been edited by axess68: Jan 7 2008, 10:18 AM

[pinkerton]

10M Live users, does that also include the banned users?

[Slag Bag]

10M Live users, does that also include the banned users?

It accounts for every unique gamertag. Silver, gold, banned, 48hour freebie, ect...

[flashfreak]

10M Live users, does that also include the banned users?

Im laughin, thats hilarious.

The video marketplace still aint out here in australia yet, but when it does, i sure hope our broadband plans finally start to change. 12gig download is a fair bit over here, and if a HD movie is 4gig, that just aint gonna work for anyone who has less than...unlimited. If i could buy them to keep, as in not have to pay for again, then that would be great, i'd be happy for HD-DVD to go down the drain as it seems to be on its way towards.

Its a big milestone, but kinda weak that it was the biggest thing they had for CES.