BT in games console TV deal

Microsoft has teamed up with BT to make television shows available via the Xbox 360.

All BT broadband customers will be able to get the BT Vision service using the games console later this year.

They will have access to a library of TV shows, sporting events and films on-demand.

The BT Vision service also gives access to “near live” FA Premier League football matches.

Dan Marks, chief executive of BT Vision, said: “For the first time consumers in the UK will be able to experience the advantages of an advanced TV service together with the benefits of next-generation gaming.”

The service will be available to BT broadband customers via their Xbox 360 consoles by mid-2008.

BT Vision is already offered to customers with a broadband connection via a set-top box, known as the V-Box.

The Xbox 360 console will be able stream video on demand from BT Vision to television sets in the same way as the V-Box, but will not replicate all of the V-Box’s functions.

Pricing for BT Vision via the Xbox 360 has yet to be announced.