So, the PlayStation 3 is set to debut, but you don’t want to spend $1,500 on eBay and you didn’t preorder a system. Well, there is always the alternative and readily available Xbox 360 and Microsoft has teamed with several studios and networks to amp up the entertainment potential of their gaming device. Today Microsoft announced agreements with CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment to bring an initial lineup of over 1,000 hours of hit TV shows and movies to Xbox 360 gamers in the U.S. by the end of the year. Furthermore, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console to bring standard and high-definition TV shows and movies via digital distribution over the Internet directly to the consumer.
Now I am am not a supporter of downloading movies to your computer but a gaming system is always hooked up to your television so this really offers some serious potential. Beginning Nov. 22, on its first anniversary, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console in history to provide high-definition TV shows and movies directly to gamers in their living rooms. Xbox 360 gamers will have access to the full-length TV shows as downloads to own and movies to rent via download from the Xbox Live® network, the worldwide leader in online distribution of high-definition gaming and entertainment content.
A selection of what will be available is as follows:
- “Robot Chicken” and “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” from Adult Swim
- “CSI,” “Survivor” and “Star Trek” from CBS
- Emmy and Peabody award-winning “South Park” and “Chappelle’s Show” from COMEDY CENTRAL
- “The Real World” and “Pimp My Ride” from MTV
- “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “SpongeBob SquarePants” from Nickelodeon
- “Skyland” and “The Nicktoons Network Animation Festival” from Nicktoons Network
- M:i:III, Nacho Libre and Jackass: The Movie from Paramount Pictures
- “Carpocalypse” and “Raising the Roofs” from Spike TV
- “Race Rewind” provided by NASCAR.COM
- Select episodes of the original season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series and the “UFC: All Access” shows from the UFC
- “Breaking Bonaduce” and “Hogan Knows Best” from VH1
- The Matrix, Superman Returns and Batman Forever from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Xbox 360 gamers can access Xbox Live Marketplace with a free Xbox Live Silver membership and a broadband connection. More information about the content available on Xbox Live Marketplace can be found here.
