VideoMarketplace posts (Subscribe to this feed)
Xbox Video Marketplace in Europe soon, limited release
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Nov 28th 2007 at 11:57AM }
Microsoft has loosely targeted a year-end release for Video Marketplace in parts of Europe (and Canada), and with this new evidence, we should expect Tuesday's Dashboard Update to include the service in all relevant territories.
[Thanks, RazorD]
Starz to bring Ghost in the Shell, Tokko, Astro Boy, others to Xbox Live
by Justin McElroy { Sep 19th 2007 at 2:57PM }
The good news doesn't stop there. Looking over the catalog of titles under Starz's umbrella, we can see plenty of reasons to get excited. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to go pray for Appleseed.
WSJ: Sony prepping plunge into video download service
by Ludwig Kietzmann { Sep 4th 2007 at 6:45PM }
The Wall Street Journal reports that Sony is preparing for a full-on fight in the digital downloads arena with new video services tied to its Bravia televisions and PlayStation systems. Gasping in surprise at this point is a clear sign that you haven't been keeping up with the news, though reminding you will at least enable us to fill out the rest of this paragraph. Sony recently unveiled a video-on-demand service for the PlayStation Portable and a DVR system for the PlayStation 3, both aimed at Europe. Coupled with the Korean PS3's video service, a "long overdue" online PSP store and earlier murmurings of Sony's intention to tussle with iTunes, it would seem time is the only thing between us and Sony's video marketplace.It won't be an easy battle -- Apple's iPod and Microsoft's Xbox 360 Video Marketplace are armed to the teeth -- but Sony's considerable library of films should give them a solid start in content. Of course, how they'll manage to offer HD video downloads without stepping on Blu-ray's toes (the ongoing battle metaphor equivalent being friendly fire) is another matter entirely.
[Via Engadget]
Free Heroes HD episode available on the XBLM
by Dustin Burg { Aug 30th 2007 at 4:15PM }
[Thanks, Bitter Kevin]
Fox signs up with MS, Family Guy hits XBLM
by Richard Mitchell { Aug 30th 2007 at 2:45PM }
Variety reports that Fox has partnered with Microsoft to become a new content provider for the Video Marketplace. The first batch of content from Fox will be the first two seasons of the fan favorite, Family Guy. Also coming to the Video Marketplace is the DVD movie Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin -- the Untold Story (otherwise known as "the Stewie movie"). New seasons of the show will be arriving soon and new episodes are expected to be available the day after they air.Of course, Fox has more to offer than Family Guy, but Microsoft and the studio felt the series was a good match for the demographic that has been downloading scads of programs like South Park and movies like 300. If Family Guy isn't your thing, don't worry, there will be plenty of Fox content on Video Marketplace before long.
[Via MEGATONik. Thanks, zizzy]
Family Guy coming to 360 Video Marketplace Sept. 2
by Justin McElroy { Aug 30th 2007 at 10:40AM }
But hey, if you've somehow missed seeing every episode of Family Guy 20 times between Fox reruns, Adult Swim and those DVDs your stoner friend Mike left at your house, you'll be able to catch up on Sept. 2. Giggity giggity goo.
THIS. IS. SPARKETPLACE! 300 on XBLVM
by David Dreger { Aug 14th 2007 at 2:30PM }
300 is on Xbox Live Video Marketplace for Live members in the U.S. It's available in both Standard Definition and High Definition, the HD rental weighing in at 5.3 GB. Really, that's all we gotta say about it. Er ... go download it now? Seriously though, it's really an epic film that we enjoyed in theatres, and having the HD DVD allows us to appreciate the quality of its digitally distributed cousin.[Thanks, J.R.]
Europe and Canada to get Video Marketplace in Fall
by David Dreger { Jul 11th 2007 at 6:00AM }
At Microsoft's E307 Media Briefing, Peter Moore announced that Xbox Live's Video Marketplace would be going worldwide, or more specifically, to Europe as well as Canada. Apparently, XBLVM will be available in these new locales this fall, a full year since the announcement and launch in November 2006 in the States. This came hot off of the announcement of Disney partnering with Microsoft to bring HD movies to Video Marketplace tonight. We're very happy to see Video Marketplace have a broader reach, though it will be interesting to see what content discrepancies there are when it launches in the coming months.
Video Marketplace now features Disney studios
by Richard Mitchell { Jul 11th 2007 at 5:30AM }
During its E3 press conference yesterday, Microsoft announced that Video Marketplace will now feature films from Disney Studios. These studios include Miramax, Hollywood Films, Touchstone, and of course, Disney itself. Likely the largest aspect of this distribution deal is that Video Marketplace will now offer many of Disney's animated feature films. Frankly, we're hoping the selection broadens quickly, as Hercules, The Emperor's New Groove, and Tarzan aren't exactly the first films we think of when considering Disney classics (no Aladdin, no Lion King? For shame!). There are other films available as well, including Sky High, Waterboy, The Brothers Grimm, Unbreakable, and many others. All of the new Disney Studios content is available now.
MS: Video Marketplace still booming
by Richard Mitchell { Jul 5th 2007 at 10:30AM }
According to a recent article in The New York Times, Microsoft continues to do some damned good business with its Video Marketplace. Business is so good, in fact, that Microsoft claims that the service has maintained double-digit growth every single month since it went online last November. The article is filled with praise from Microsoft's content partners like Comedy Central and Warner Brothers. The true strength of the service, according to the article, is that it essentially hits gamers where they live. As many gamers watch less television and see fewer movies, Video Marketplace places content right where they spend most of their time: in front of the Xbox. Of course, that's not to say there isn't room for improvement. As noted by Josh Roberts, a gamer interviewed by The Times, downloads still take hours and the Microsoft Points system is confusing and annoying (he compares it to carnivals forcing patrons to buy food with tickets rather than real money). Still, quibbles aside, there's no denying the convenience of Video Marketplace, something we're sure even more companies will eventually realize.
[Via Gamasutra]
Free XBLM TV downloads are body shop'able
by Dustin Burg { Jul 2nd 2007 at 2:00PM }
Austin Powers available free on Xbox Live
by Justin McElroy { Jun 23rd 2007 at 2:00PM }
Beginning yesterday, Xbox Live users could download a free copy of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, which should come as a welcome relief to those of you just coming out of a cryogenic sleep, those who've been without TBS for the past decade or those who just like to get free stuff. The download is apparently sponsored by McDonald's and their "BurgerCon" area of Xbox Live. However, there's no forced McDonald's advertising on the download, which you can find on Marketplace, just a trailer for Rush Hour 3. Oh, and Dr. Evil's head has been digitally replaced by a Southern Style Chicken Sandwich.You'll be able to get the free download until June 28 and once more from July 13-19. In another innovative marketing ploy, New Line is offering $20 and a "World's Greatest Foot Massage" coupon to Xbox Live members who download and watch Codename: The Cleaner as part of their new "We're So Terribly Sorry" campaign.
[Via GameSpot]
Burgercon offers free Austin Powers movie rental
by Dustin Burg { Jun 22nd 2007 at 1:20PM }
Burgercon, McDonald's latest marketing campaign aimed at trying to get you to eat their Big Macs, is offering a free movie rental for Xbox Live members in the United States. Make your way to the Video Marketplace and rent Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery for free! All thanks to the kind folks over at McDonalds ... Burgercon rocks! Also, if after watching the original Austin Powers and you have a jonesing for more Mike Meyers, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me is available for rental, but for 240 Microsoft points.It's also worth mentioning that we ran into some technical difficulties trying to download the movie from the Xbox Live Burgercon ads. But there's an easy workaround. Simply make your way to the "all movies" list on the Marketplace and you'll find Austin Powers listed. Try downloading it from there, it worked for us.
This week's Video Marketplace offerings
by Dustin Burg { Jun 21st 2007 at 11:30AM }
Free Lil' Bush and more on the Marketplace
by Dustin Burg { Jun 19th 2007 at 11:15AM }
