Sky and Microsoft confirm Xbox and Sky Player Launch

Sky and Microsoft have announced that the Sky Player service will be available to XBox 360 owners from Autumn 2009.

The service will offer Streaming, Live Channels, Video On Demand (VOD) content and Pay Per View Special Events.

Details are not yet fully released but it is anticipated existing Sky customers with a valid XBox LIVE account will be able to access the Sky Player as they can now from a PC or MAC and also purchase one off Movies, Sports events etc using their Sky account or LIVE Points.

Non Sky subscribing XBox owners will be able to purchase different ‘Packages’ offering various channels or special events, again using XBox LIVE Points.

High Definition Movies and SKY HD content will be available on a ‘forward and store’ service, with content saved to the XBox Hard Drive offering a greater range of content to that currently offered via XBox LIVE.

With its Broadband connection, access to MSN Messenger and XBox Gamer Profiles, subscribers will be able to communicate with eachother, in real time, whilst watching football matches and streaming content.

This is a major coup for Microsoft and Sky, as Sony’s PS3 and Nintendo’s Wii both currently offer access to the full web & BBC iPlayer.