If you really enjoy television and you really like your Xbox, you can really dive head-first into the television on your Xbox to watch TV on your TV now that Microsoft and Time Warner Cable have joined forces for the ultimate corporate proctological evisceration of consumers known to man. You can get up to 300 of Time Warner's channels brought right to you on your Xbox 360 thanks to this new deal. It will only cost you your soul and $60 a year... that's it. No big deal.
Blair Westlake, corporate vice president, Media & Entertainment Group at Microsoft commented on the new deal, saying...
“TWC TV is a significant addition to Xbox 360, bringing our customers their favorite entertainment in one place—enhanced TV experience, games, movies, music, sports and entertainment apps,”. “Our partnership with TWC enhances all that is available on Xbox 360 today, which will we continue expand. We’re thrilled to offer TWC TV to U.S. Xbox Live members and Time Warner Cable subscribers.”
TV, TV, sports, TV, Xbox Live... okay, just making sure I got that right.
The continuation of the May 21st TV on your TV campaign has extended beyond the Xbox One and onto the Xbox 360. Even if Microsoft doesn't push new games and interactive content on the system, many core Xbox 360 owners will be pleased to know that they will use your TV for TV and your game console for TV as well. It's paramount for the future of streaming television to transform what was once a highly lauded video game system into a cable TV set top box, something Microsoft has been legitimately pursuing since about 2009.
Many gamers may have been too infatuated with the core titles, functionality and that always sexy controller of the Xbox 360 to pay enough attention to Microsoft's aim to control your home since way back when. Gamers were also distracted with quality content from third-party publishers and a strong online service to pay any mind to the home media advancements that the company was making with the Xbox brand.
At this junction, however, the Xbox 360 will soon be home to live television from popular channels including AMC, BBC World News, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNN, Comedy Central, Food Network, HGTV and more.
Mike Angus, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video for Time Warner Cable also chimed in saying...
“We look forward to introducing TWC TV to Xbox 360 and providing customers with this new viewing experience within the home. We are very excited about Microsoft’s vision for entertainment and the vast possibilities Xbox offers.”
Vision for entertainment... it reminds me of Major Nelson trying to drag Angry Joe with him to the future, kicking, screaming and microphone snatching in tow. On the upside, if you already pay for Xbox Live Gold you're keyed in to these services with nothing more to do on your part but tell Kinect what you want to watch, when you want to watch it.
If you want to embrace the future of alpha waves beyond the standard limitations of your television, and media hub functionality is what you seek out of your video game console, then the Xbox brand is the future you seek and Time Warner is there with open arms, waiting, willing, wanting your money. Their body is ready, but is your credit card willing?
