Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) is following up its recent BSkyB Xbox deal by adding live and VOD shows from France’s Canal+ Group to the games console. Like the Sky deal, it seems Xbox users will need to already be Canal+ subscribers. The deal covers several suites of programming from the Vivendi-owned PPV operator…
— Canalplay: Canal’s back-catalogue movie content including 6,000 titles will be included.
— Canal+ A La Demande: Catch-up for recent shows will be added.
— Foot+: Canal’s soccer package has eight live French premiere matches per week, as-live games after the final whistle and Champion’s League games. Like the Sky deal, the live games will let Xbox users join an Xbox Live party room, where they can chat in text or audio with friends whilst watching the game.
France already has the world’s biggest TV-over-broadband market, with 6.2 million subs, and Orange is the leader with 2.2 million, so Canal+ will get extra delivery through this deal, but it’s unlikely to significantly shift many more subs.