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Microsoft reportedly adding video from Comcast, Verizon, HBO Go and others to Xbox Live
Microsoft announced new integration with live TV as a part of the Xbox 360's fall update during E3 earlier this year, but didn't name any US pay-TV partners at the time. Now, anonymous rumors recently posted on Digiday suggested the folks at Redmond were looking to work with Verizon and Comcast, followed by Bloomberg hearing similar talk from its own "people with knowledge of the situation." Today's rumors finger Verizon (which showed off live TV on a variety of devices at CES), Comcast, HBO, Crackle, Bravo, Syfy and UK service Lovefilm as likely partners. Missing from the list is AT&T's U-verse, which already offers an Xbox 360 tie-in and distributes its IPTV on the Mediaroom platform, just like some of the international partners previously announced. If these services launch it will be interesting to see how the integration works and if it's VOD like the existing Xfinity TV and Flex View mobile apps, or if providers cross the IPTV bridge with in-home devices like the Televation / AnyPlay box.
Bloomberg: Xbox Live getting Comcast, Verizon access; expects HBO, Crackle, Bravo, Syfy, Lovefilm, and more
A report earlier this month said that Microsoft's upcoming "Live TV" service -- part of the Xbox 360's upcoming Dashboard refresh -- would feature pay television service from the likes of Comcast and Verizon, who have 22.5 million and 3.8 million TV subscribers, respectively. Now, the far more reputable Bloomberg is reporting the same, citing "people with knowledge of the situation." "Microsoft [...] is in talks with almost two dozen providers of music, sports, movies and TV shows in the U.S. and Europe, and may announce an expanded Xbox Live streaming service as soon as next week, said one of the people, who weren't authorized to speak publicly," Bloomberg reports. But it's not just Comcast and Verizon. Microsoft also "expects to sign deals with Time Warner Inc. (TWX)'s HBO cable channel, Sony Pictures Entertainment's Crackle streaming service, NBC Universal's Bravo and Syfy channels and Lovefilm UK, a subsidiary of Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN)," one of Bloomberg's sources says. Overall, Microsoft is "in talks with almost two dozen providers of music, sports, movies and TV shows in the U.S. and Europe" and it could announce the fruits of those negotiations "as soon as next week." Two of Bloomberg's sources say that existing customers of both Comcast and Verizon will only need to prove they are pay-TV customers to gain access to the services on the Xbox.
Netflix coming to Spain and the UK next year?
File this one in the unconfirmed-but-hopeful file, as Variety has it on good authority that Netflix could be making its first foray into European waters as early as Q1 2012. After taking Latin America by storm (and subsequently storming the wallets of plain 'ole Americans), the company is purportedly lining up Spain and the United Kingdom for its next trick. Unnamed sources at "leading European film distributors" have confirmed that representatives from the company were looking to "put roots down" in both of those nations as soon as next year, and while Netflix itself is refusing to comment, it's certainly a tale that's easy to believe. 'Course, breaking into the UK market won't be as easy as it has been in other nations -- Lovefilm already has a firm grip on the local rental market, but as your favorite capitalist always says, there's never not room for increased competition. We'll keep you posted. [Thanks, Eric]
Lovefilm signs up Disney movies for subscription, VOD streaming in the UK
In the UK, Lovefilm has cut a deal with Walt Disney to distribute its movies online, both under its all you can eat subscription service and newer flicks on VOD. It's a nonexclusive deal so if / when Netflix launches an offering across the pond it could potentially secure similar terms. Stateside, Netflix has access to some Disney content through its deal with ABC, and other movies by way of its deal with Starz. Another interesting element would be if Lovefilm owner Amazon worked out a deal for direct access to Disney flicks for its Prime Instant Video service over here, but for now we can only recommend our UK readers check out the press release after the break.
Samsung adds Lovefilm streaming to UK Blu-ray players
Lovefilm, the closest thing Europe has to an answer to Netflix, was recently swallowed whole by the Amazon juggernaut, but that doesn't seem to have stunted its progress toward ubiquitous availability. Samsung has just announced its intent to include Lovefilm movie streaming as an app on all of its Blu-ray players in the UK, enhancing both the subscription service's profile and its own claim to providing the user with multifunctional, "smart" technology. It's disappointing not to see this rollout effective across all of Lovefilm's European markets, but we guess small steps are better than no steps.
Amazon agrees to buy UK movie streaming and rental service Lovefilm
Amazon has just announced it has agreed terms to buy up all the remaining shares of Lovefilm it didn't already own. The British outfit operates a subscription-based movie rental and streaming service in its home market along with Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, and should give Amazon a very solid base from which to build its presumably Netflix-besting ambitions. Lovefilm has been just about the closest thing Europe has had to the ridiculously successful North American movie distributor and Amazon is arguably getting in just in time, given Netflix's overtures toward expanding into the UK. Customary closing conditions will need to be met before the final stamp of approval is applied, but the acquisition is expected to complete by the end of Q1 of this year. Amazon's wading into yet more content distribution, who'd have thunk it?
Lovefilm movie streaming now live on UK PlayStation 3 consoles
Sony's "it only does everything" claim for the PS3 seems to be growing stronger with every day that passes. After getting Hulu Plus in the US recently, the versatile console has just seen the green light to start some movie streaming action in the UK, courtesy of a hookup with Lovefilm. To get this free extra, you have to have a £5.99 or above monthly Lovefilm subscription (that's excluding its Games offering), though there's a limit on how much streaming you can do at that price point. Such stipulations fall by the wayside on the £9.99 top tier, leaving you and your console to enjoy as many movies as you can handle.
Lovefilm coming to UK PS3s in November
Lovefilm – which is essentially European Netflix, for those of you who don't recognize the name – will have its streaming movie service available on PS3s in the UK this November. The app appears to be pretty robust, allowing users to not only stream movies, but also manage their general queue and search by films or actors. A video explaing the app and its features -- likely the same one leaked yesterday -- can be found after the break.
PS3 and Lovefilm make it official, streaming movies to consoles in the UK this November (updated)
Considering our leak a couple of days back came directly from Sony itself, this is hardly a suprise, but Eurogamer has done the diligent thing and managed to confirm with the dudes in suits that British film streaming service Lovefilm will indeed be coming to the PlayStation 3. The everything console is adding the UK answer to Netflix to its stable of software enhancements, which will let people buy pay-per-view movies or, provided they're on Lovefilm's £5.99 subscription or above, let them stream away without a care in the world. Oh, and the video ad that got pulled? We've now got it for you after the break. Update: Electric Pig have been told that the PPV option will be left off the table for console streamers. Update 2: Lovefilm has gotten in touch with us directly to say the service is rolling out this November.
Report: LoveFilm coming to UK PS3 next month
In the United States (and also Canada) we have a wondrous thing called Netflix. In the UK and other European territories, there's a similar miracle called LoveFilm, and thanks to a supposedly official video announcement -- which has been pulled from the Sony YouTube channel on which it emerged -- an app for the video rental service is coming to PS3. The video was spotted by Everything PlayStation and promised access to the LoveFilm rental and streaming service would be available on the PS3 as of next month. Accessible via the XMB, the app will apparently allow subscribers to manage their movie queues right from the console and stream available content -- or have anything else mailed on disc. Jump past the break for a short blurb from the now-pulled video's description.
Lovefilm looks to be headed to UK PlayStation 3 consoles
You Americans may not have a clue what Lovefilm means to Britons, but in short, it's Netflix for the other side of the pond. To that end, we imagine quite a few UKers are giddy over a video that has since been pulled from Sony's YouTube channel. We've embedded it after the break in case it revives itself in some magical, mystical fashion, but Everything PlayStation managed to grab the copy from underneath while it was still alive. It's bruited that Lovefilm streaming will be coming to UK-based PS3 owners sometime this autumn, with a wealth of search options available and free trials promised for those who've yet to buy into the outfit's services. We're hoping to hear more from Sony (or Lovefilm) in short order, but for now, we'd encourage you to cross every finger you have that a dedicated disc won't be required for everything to work.
Samsung's U.K. show reveals Monsters vs. Aliens 3D Blu-ray due in March plus LoveFilm, iPlayer TV apps
When Avatar will make its Blu-ray 3D debut is still officially up in the air, but thanks to Samsung's European line show, TechRadar says we can expect Monsters vs. Aliens in March (at least in the U.K.) It will initially be available only to purchasers of new Samsung 3D HDTVs (called the U7000, U8000 or U9000 series of LCDs and PDP7000 plasmas over there) or Blu-ray players, an interesting choice that has us wondering when wider 3D releases will hit, or if we'll need to wait for the summer's PS3 firmware update before that happens. Still, that wasn't all Samsung had to say, also mentioning plans to add movie rentals from LoveFilm and access to BBC's iPlayer to its Apps service for U.K. buyers in April. [Thanks, @JoeCise]
Toshiba's XD-E500 player: now with free 1-year Lovefilm subscription in UK
We won't even front: we questioned the value in Toshiba's super-upscaling XD-E500 DVD player, but the company is making the pill a lot easier to swallow for those on the opposite side of the pond. Starting now, those who purchase the player and register it within seven days are blessed with a full year of DVD rentals from Lovefilm (a British DVD rental company). The year of rentals is technically worth £100, thus making the net cost of the player itself just £20 (£120 minus £100) if you're keen on twisting your math. So, Tosh -- when can we Americans expect a similar deal with Netflix?[Via CNET]
