[Satellite Today 06-30-09] Microsoft has signed a strategic partnership deal with French broadcaster Canal Plus to bring pay-TV content to Xbox users in France, Microsoft announced June 29. There are 1 million Xbox 360 users in France, while Canal Plus’ Canalsat direct-to-home platform has more than 5 million subscribers.
    The partnership initially will involve on-demand services from Canal Plus, CanalPlay and Foot Plus and eventually be extended to other products of the Canal Plus group as well as other Microsoft platforms.
    Microsoft said Xbox viewers in France will have access to thousands of movies, a television catch-up service, as well as access to premier league French soccer, which Canal Plus holds the rights for.
    Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed.
    The deal follows Microsoft’s partnership with BSkyB, announced in May, which allows Xbox users to have access to Sky pay-TV content in the United Kingdom and Ireland.