[Satellite News 05-29-09] Microsoft announced a content deal with BSkyB to launch Sky Player Satellite TV on Xbox 360 consoles in the United Kingdom and Ireland this fall, Microsoft announced May 29.
    On the same day, Microsoft revealed that its Xbox Live service, featured on its Xbox360 gaming console, has seen 136 percent growth since November, outpacing all other competing Internet gaming services. These statistics, combined with the BskyB deal and a reported 28 percent growth in console sales, reaching 30 million total users and 20 million users of Xbox Live, makes Microsoft larger than any satellite TV provider. According to Microsoft’s reports, the company expects to outgrow the world’s largest cable provider before 2010
    While Microsoft has confirmed the rumors, details of its contract with BskyB are not being revealed. Microsoft said the list of available channels would be released at a later date.
    Separately, Microsoft is also integrating its Zune music, TV and film entertainment service to its Xbox Live Marketplace. Microsoft said the move, which will also see Zune entertainment marketed in Europe for the first time, forms a key step in its strategy to offer connect the Zune customer experience across three screens — TV, PC and mobile. The service is set to support instant streaming, download-to-rent and download-to-own video.
    In July 2008, Microsoft made a similar partnership with over-the-mail DVD rental service Netflix to stream videos over the Xbox Live network. The partnership to date has led to growth of both company’s services in the United States, according to a March statement by Netflix.
    All this comes as good news for BskyB, who may be getting onboard an entertainment device that is headed for complete integration of video, data, voice and gaming over the next few years. The question now is, which services will follow BskyB in other regions?