Will Microsoft Join the Cord-Cutting Movement?
Microsoft has entered the TV market before, such as by investing in MSNBC, and it's looking to do so again. According to a report from Reuters, Microsoft is in talks to create a fee-based streaming delivery system centered around the Xbox gaming console.
According to unnamed sources, the exact form of Microsoft's TV effort is still a work in progress. One idea is to create a service that would act as a "virtual cable operator," providing access to broadcast and cable networks. Another option is to add interactivity to cable programming, so that viewers could watch a show while messaging friends.
Reuters says Microsoft is also considering selling programing bundles geared at certain audiences (such as sports fans or children). It could also sell a la carte channels, something cable and satellite operators have been reluctant to do.
While the exact form of the streaming offering is still far from determined, Reuters says the service will debut within the next 12 months.
If Microsoft does enter the market for living room streaming content, it will have a strong advantage over rivals like Apple, Roku, and Google. In an interview at Streaming Media West, Forrester Research's James McQuivey noted that with an installed U.S. base of 30 million units, Microsoft could become the "dominant player in the television business overnight."
Related Articles
Kinect owners will be able to use voice controls to search for and play streaming content.
05 Dec 2011
Cord-cutting has been a minor phenomenon so far, but a new report says that it will more than double in the next four years.
29 Jul 2011
Most people would be willing to switch to streamed content, but their needs are a long ways from being met.
14 Jun 2011
A Streaming Media East panel looks at cord-cutting, and whether or not online video will take the place of cable
23 May 2011
While the demise of the cable industry is often exaggerated, a panel at the Streaming Media East conference was in agreement that changes in strategy are necessary. In some cases, they're already occurring.
17 May 2011
A Nielsen exec declares cord-cutting a myth; also says that many young people start out by getting programs online-only.
08 Feb 2011
Long blog post seeks to unify the HTML5 video landscape, but ends up inflaming developers.
02 Feb 2011
MS reassures developers by showing future plans for the Silverlight platform.
02 Dec 2010
Forrester Research's James McQuivey says that might be the case in this video interview conducted by Beet.TV at Streaming Media West
09 Nov 2010
Have the rumors of Microsoft Silverlight's death been greatly exaggerated?
02 Nov 2010