Microsoft is reportedly in discussions with Sky to offer reduced price subscriptions for the cable TV service with its next-generation Xbox One console.
According to “sources familiar with the situation”, Microsoft and Sky are in talks regarding a new deal to offer heavily reduced Sky subscriptions with the Xbox One when it launches later this year.
The Xbox One could be utilised as a Sky set-top box or a companion device to existing Sky HD boxes, but would offer highly subsidised Sky subscriptions through the purchase of the console.
Although the deal is not quite yet finalised and Microsoft has yet to comment on the reported discussions, the two companies already have a history of working well together.
Sky produced an Xbox 360 app back in 2009 to offer live events, TV and other on-demand Sky content through the console. It does require existing Xbox Live Gold and Sky subscriptions, but serves as a good base for future collaborations between the two companies.
“We enjoy a long track-record of innovating with Microsoft on the Xbox platform and will explore any future opportunities offered by Xbox One”, said a Sky representative last month.
The new deal would complement the new entertainment features highlighted during the Xbox One reveal last month, including the Instant Switching feature that lets users change between TV, music, gaming, internet browsing or any other Xbox One content “as fast as switching channels on the remote”.
A Sky deal for the Xbox One could also be used within the Snap Mode function that allows multiple applications to run simultaneously on one screen, all fully interactive.
Microsoft has marketed the Xbox One as the “all-in-one entertainment system”, and a Sky deal would certainly boost the console’s ability to encompass all aspects of living room entertainment.
Next, check out our list of all the Xbox One games.
Via: MCV
