The fun-packed Xbox Live update is nearly here, so here's the details of the movie and TV apps that come with it. LoveFilm and 4oD are in the first wave this month, with the BBC's iPlayer coming next year.
The update to the dashboard of the Microsoft Xbox games console arrives tomorrow, with a swathe of apps giving you access to on-demand music, movies and more, as well as the usual gaming goodies. While iPlayer isn't on board yet, it will be added to the service in 2012.
Apps will be searchable via Bing and controlled both by your voice and your flailing arms, thanks to the Kinect motion-control gaming system.
Telly channels offering access to their online catch-up and on-demand services include Channels 4 and 5, with 4oD and Demand 5 apps launching later this month. ITV is expected to bring its ITV Player service to the party next year.
Blinkbox, Vevo and YouTube also hit the Xbox in December.
Apps launching in the US include sports channels ESPN, streaming services Hulu and Netflix. Netflix will launch in the UK next year, but there's no word yet on whether it'll come to the Xbox when it does.
Meanwhile, Sky customers can watch their satellite sports, news and movie channels on their Xbox -- in Germany. Sky Go, which lets you watch Sky channels on your phone, tablet, games console or laptop, is launching on the Xbox for our teutonic chums this month. Sky Go is already available on the Xbox in the UK.
Microsoft has also built a companion app for Windows Phone that allows you to use your phone as a TV remote, as well as searching and finding more information on what you're watching or listening to.
The Xbox Live update goes, er, live tomorrow. What services would you like to see on your Xbox? Tell us in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 12
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anonymous 5 December, 2011 10:15
Sky go already works here in the UK........
anonymous 5 December, 2011 10:52
Damn, I got excited when I read that the US gets UFC video content. Guess that's not for us then.
Rich Trenholm 5 December, 2011 13:17
Sorry anonymous 2, if you want to watch tattooed men beating lumps out of each other you'll just have to go down the high street on a Saturday night
Well spotted anonymous 1, we've corrected the story
anonymous 5 December, 2011 13:23
Any news on how big the update will be? Not everyone has an unlimited broadband connection.
DavidRGilson 5 December, 2011 15:21
But will it be free to access all these TV catch-up services? The reason iPlayer wasn't already on the Xbox 360 was because Microsoft wanted to users to pay for the services that all licence fee payers are entitled to view - i.e. the BBC.
Rich Trenholm 5 December, 2011 18:08
All good questions - we'll keep you posted as we dig into the story
Bltch Bearne 5 December, 2011 22:22
Yeh it will cost... That's what gold membership will cover as well surely...
anonymous 6 December, 2011 09:26
BBC and Microsoft have confirmed that BBC iPlayer will be free to silver and gold members. Can't remember where I read it though but I have read it!!
anonymous 7 December, 2011 16:17
Okay am I going to be the first to point out PSN already offers BBC Iplayer, 4od, ITV Player etc... and internet browsing for free?? And they have sincelike 2010?
Good old Microsoft 2 years later and charging a fee!
Sick of paying for it and considering a lot of DLC stuff seems to be favouring Playstation now I just can;t see how they can justify it.
Robin Hosgood 20 December, 2011 01:12
ok just logged on to my xbox 360 (please note i also own a PS3) and this is crap... lovely new design yes, but... why are Microsoft intent on Monopolising FREE content on their xbox? I mean, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, 4OnDemand, 5OnDemand, etc are FREE products, which you have FREE access to on a PC/Mac via web browser, Android phone, Apple iPhone and other phones, even on the PS3 for free... same apples for free access (if you have a subscription of course) to LoveFilm. Yet, Microsoft want you to PAY for an Xbox Live GOLD Membership (£39.99 a year) in order to access these FREE content programs! I dont play games online via xbox, although i do understand why they charge for that, but why should we also be charged a fee to have access to and use these FREE products?
back to my pc and Playstation 3 for me thanks...
anonymous 13 January, 2012 15:28
Completely agree with Robin's point.
anonymous 16 March, 2012 11:20
Well that's how they make profit from xbox. They don't make much profit by selling hardware. It makes sense since ps3 costs a lot higher than xbox and most people buy xbox. In the end they all end up paying lot higher than ps3. If I knew xbox needs gold to use the free services i would have waited for ps3. I guess sony needs to review their strategy.