Xbox 360 iPlayer launch delayed indefinitely

[Faisal]

According to sources close to the BBC’s Future Media and Technology department, a deal between the two parties has still been unable to be reached because Microsoft’s strategy of charging for all content on its Xbox Live platform is incompatible with the BBC’s public service remit.“Microsoft only wants to offer its users access to platforms it can charge for as this is the model it is pursuing. It wants to ensure that only those paying for Xbox Live Gold accounts can access its additional content services and even then there is usually a charge on top to get access to those. For example, to access the Sky Player on Xbox, you have to pay for a Gold subscription as well as a Sky subscription,” explained one of the sources close to the BBC.“This does not fit with the BBC’s model and Microsoft will not budge at the moment. It is really frustrating for those involved on the BBC side who want to make sure iPlayer is rolled out on as many popular entertainment platforms as possible,” they added.The BBC cannot charge the British public for access to the iPlayer as it is already included in the licence feeThis situation is a marked contrast to the deals the BBC already has in place with the other two home games consoles. Nintendo’s Wii and Sony’s PlayStation 3 both offer free access to the BBC iPlayer. Earlier this month the BBC recently relaunched its service on the Wii and now offers its own dedicated iPlayer channel.A BBC spokesman said: “BBC iPlayer has been extremely successful on PS3 and we recently re-launched on Nintendo Wii, from which the public response has been fantastic. People clearly want the BBC iPlayer on their gaming consoles, and we don’t think Xbox users are any different, so we’ve had discussions with Microsoft about bringing the service to the platform.”A Microsoft spokesman declined to comment.The delay in striking a deal with the BBC could harm Microsoft’s ambitions to make its Xbox 360 console become the centre of the home entertainment hub. It is understood to also be in discussions with other content providers, such as Channel 4 and MySpace.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/6671901/Xbox-360-iPlayer-launch-delayed-indefinitely.html

[Vtec]

Have to say Sky player on the box of X is pretty good anyway...iplayer aint all that. I got it on my mobile phone!!!

[captain capo]

Wasnt needed anyway.

[Faisal]

It's not a really a need but a want. Good way to catchup on Merlin for me, in a safety-net kinda way if my PlayTV don't work.

[Skola]

microsoft takes an L imowhy send users elsewhere?

[M.Dot]

This would have been useful.

[Rhymer-2]

If Microsoft want to make xbox the ultimate console they need this.having Sky, Iplayer, and 4od>>>>>>>>