You are here: silicon.com > Networks > Broadband & ISPs

Gates and Murdoch team up for video-on-demand

Microsoft and BSkyB get cosy at CES

Tags: microsoft, ces, video on demand, bskyb

By Jo Best

Published: 5 January 2006 14:50 GMT

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.

Add comment

Print story with

Email story

I hope the Microsoft/Sky Video on Demand is *MUCH*...
Anonymous

It takes about three hours at home! It is not that...
Anonymous

Click here to see all

Microsoft looks to beat Google with the desktop

Microsoft makes new friends in China

Gates wows Vegas with Vista keynote

Bill Gates on the future, the past and the brilliance of fertilizer…

Bill Gates sings at CES for one last time

In silicon.com

Commentary

Natasha Lomas Exclusive: Jimmy Wales on what's next for Wikipedia Why Wikipedia needs geeks and why a life unplugged is unthinkable

Peter Cochrane Peter Cochrane's Blog: United breaks guitars? Customer service has changed forever

Latest News

Make haste with the analogue-digital switch, urges EC

'UK must up privacy safeguards following Phorm'

Full steam ahead for plans to cut off file-sharers

Keeping IT green in tough times

iPhones unshackled, IT wages revealed and outsourcing explained

Jobs

Enterprise/Application Architecture - Retail Application

Nokia is building a new Retail channel and plans to establish an extensive franchise network and a small number of Nokia-owned flagship stores. This ...

Procurement Manager

With more than nine million subscribers in one in three homes, we're a FTSE top 35 company with around 15,000 staff and an annual turnover in excess ...

Unix Project Systems Analyst

Already one of the world's largest broadcasters with more than nine million subscribers in one in three UK homes, we are now taking our success to ...

Special Report Focus

Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.