BBC iPlayer, Lovefilm, 4OD aim for Xbox

MS' Live service to gain TV content for Xmas

Microsoft has signed up video-on-demand companies Blinkbox and Lovefilm, and Channel 4's catch-up viewing service 4OD, to bring their offerings to the Xbox 360 this year.

BBC iPlayer will be coming too. So will Channel 5's catch-up service.

The channels will be made available through Xbox Live.

They'll be joined by a number of lesser known names, including Crackle, Muzu and Vevo, and form part of a major telly-centric Xbox Live upgrade MS is planning globally.

Like Sony, MS is keen to get more, broader content than games onto its console through its online portal, the better to position both hardware and online service as a conduit for general home entertainment. ®