The BBC iPlayer is now available on Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE free platform.
In December Microsoft announced a revamp of its Xbox 360, morphing the games console into a general entertainment hub via a free software update.
At the time, Microsoft announced that UK users would gain access to LOVEFiLM, 4oD, Demand 5, VEVO, YouTube, MSN, MUZU.TV and Sony’s movie and TV video on demand service Crackle.
It also promised the iPayer would be available in “early 2012” and the BBC has confirmed the service is now live.
iPlayer is already available on the Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Wii as well set top boxes for Virgin Media, BT Vision, FreeSat, Freeview and, soon, Sky.
Daniel Danker, BBC General Manager, Programmes & On-Demand, said: “Xbox is hugely successful in the UK. Given the BBC’s goal to reach its entire audience, I’m particularly excited that the BBC will be bringing iPlayer to all Xbox users at no extra cost as part of Xbox LIVE’s free membership.”
“As we continue our work to make BBC iPlayer as simple as possible, we’re also excited to experiment with natural user interfaces made possible with Kinect, including voice and gesture control. We believe it’s early days for these experiences, but see a great future working with partners such as Microsoft on innovations like these.”
Microsoft’s Stephen McGill said: “The addition of BBC iPlayer takes the service to the next level. We offer a formidable line-up of the best TV and entertainment – both live and on-demand – from providers such as Sky, Channel 4, Channel 5, Netflix, LOVEFiLM, Blinkbox, MSN, YouTube and many others.
“The way people interact with entertainment content is changing. Xbox LIVE is the only service in the world where you can search, discover and control TV, movies, video and music using voice and gesture via the power and magic of Kinect.”