Disney-ABC and MGM to offer Xbox Live Marketplace content

Microsoft has announced that it will be adding entertainment content to the US Xbox Live Marketplace from Disney-ABC Television Group and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.

"Disney-ABC Television Group and MGM are two of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, and this announcement helps continue to evolve and diversify the content offering on Xbox Live," said Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft.

"The ability to offer such great content in high definition further expands Microsoftâs commitment to connected entertainment with Xbox 360."

The content under the Disney-ABC agreement will appear later this month and will include shows such as Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, Kyle XY, Greek, Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, as well as movies such as High School Musical and High School Musical 2.

Past and current ABC shows will be available on demand, including news broadcasts and specials from its archives dating back to 1963, with new episodes arriving on the service the day after their television broadcast.

"As a company dedicated to providing consumers with a variety of high-quality entertainment and news content that they can view at their convenience, regardless of time, place or platform, we are very excited to bring our programming to Xbox Live members," said Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney-ABC Television Group.

"This new agreement will not only provide incremental viewing opportunities, but also provides a wealth of promotional opportunities to further awareness of our shows and brands."

MGM will be bringing its movie library to the service, including films such as the Rocky series, Dances with Wolves, Terminator, Silence of the Lambs, The Amityville Horror, Legally Blonde, Barbershop, Agent Cody Banks, Platoon, Rain Man and The Usual Suspects.

United Artists, an MGM sister company, will be making films available as well.

"The video store on Xbox Live Marketplace has proven to be very successful, and we are excited that MGM will be a partner in 2008," said Jim Packer, co-president of Worldwide Television at MGM.

"At MGM we are always looking for new ways to reach our broad audience, and partnering with Microsoft allows us to make our legendary library available to the millions of Xbox Live members here in the US."

No pricing information for Disney-ABC and MGM films or television shows was provided as part of the announcement. Most current movies are priced from 320 to 480 Microsoft points (USD 4 - 6), with television shows priced from 160 to 240 points (USD 2 - 3).