By Jo Best, 5 January 2006 14:50
NEWS
Microsoft head honcho Bill Gates has revealed the software giant is getting into bed with the Rupert Murdoch-owned BSkyB.
In his keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Gates said the pair are to team up to offer video-on-demand (VoD) to Microsoft Media Center users.
"They've got over 8 million subscribers in the UK who will be able to do those downloads and use those great capabilities," Gates said.
The video-on-demand offerings will be available Sky's broadband customers, which the broadcaster acquired when it snapped up ISP Easynet for £211m, in order to find new outlets for its entertainment products.
Microsoft is also working with DirecTV, Murdoch's BSkyB equivalent in the US, on a similar scheme.
Comments
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1. anonymous
I hope the Microsoft/Sky Video on Demand is *MUCH* better than the recently launched Sky by Broadband, which is dismal at best.
It is so slow, I though I was on dial-up when downloading 'The Day After Tomorrow' .wma file - about 12 hours for a 630Mb file, via 5:1 business grade 2Mb broadband !!
I'm sure they will come out with the usual much more popular than we expected and is over loaded rubbish excuses.
2. anonymous
It takes about three hours at home! It is not that bad!