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Microsoft inks Universal deal

Console maker signs UK movie-distribution deal to bring more HD movies to Xbox Live.

23 Comments

In October of 2008, Microsoft announced a deal with video-rental service Netflix--but only for North America. Ever since, international gamers have been waiting on tenterhooks to see if similar services will be rolled out worldwide.

It had been expected that the Redmond-based console maker would announce such a service at an event in London today, but alas it was not to be. British Xbox Live users did receive word that a deal had been signed between Microsoft and NBC Universal to bring the latter's movies to Xbox Live's own movie-rental service. Thirty titles will be available immediately, ranging from comedy favourites such as 1978's Animal House to more recent titles such as romantic-comedy-cum-zombie-flick Shaun of the Dead and cult classic Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. More titles will be added to the service "on a rolling basis," according to Microsoft.

New releases will be priced at £3 ($4.30, 360 Microsoft points) for a standard-definition rental and at £4.50 (540 points, $6.45) for high defitnition, with library films coming in slightly lower.

At the same time Microsoft also announced that the Xbox Live quiz 1 vs. 100 was coming to the region, along with 12 new songs for Lips, the firm's take on Sony's multimillion-dollar Singstar franchise. The tracks will be made available over the next three weeks and will feature The Rasmus, Hinder and Coldplay, and more.

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1425678786655

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i need to get netflix still and im looking forward to 1 v 100 haha thats gonna be cool. and Gatcloudx did u ever think that maybe other people then u like those kind of games?? i dont like any rythm games imo they get boring way too fast. and they have somewhat fixed the rrod. go buy a $200 xbox arcade with the new jasper chip that reduces the rrod chance alot ive heard. even though ive only had it once before which isnt even that bad considering i got mine at launch

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eternity21

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I'd like to see YOUTUBE on XBOX 360, that would be cool

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GatCloudX

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lips and singstar is stupid. rentals are on both consoles. they still havent fixed rrod. whens that gonna happen ive been waiting since the system came out

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Un4givingAsault

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where the net flicks in canada, WTF... hurry it up already

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akiwak

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Too expensive for a rental..... come on it's only a digital copy! Make it cheaper, more people buy therefore making more money. Not like you gotta pay some Clerk/Building Rent to hand out or put away these movies after they are done!

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jayme22

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wow my new arrivals bit is completly filled with, Hellboy2 blues brothers wanted havent ever seen this many films released before................. check it out uk gamers

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killeroo

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"international gamers have been waiting on tenterhooks" lol

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rebound2

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@EddieTheGreat We don't have an online version of netflix let alone a Live version I the UK to recieve Lovefilm on live or PSN (or maybe blockbuster)

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JKxMExAN

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they should do lovefilm for england Cant wait for 1 vs 100

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wikkiwild1

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Netflix is only available in the US. Canadians don't get Netflix Will this deal with Universal include Canada?

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EddieTheGreat

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come on, netflix in the UK!! and i have never and never will downloaded a movie of xbox live, it seems pretty crappy

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XanderZane

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gow117 cool but its always better to download them from the pc cuz its free ******************************************************* True, but it takes forever unless you have FiOS. Downloading one movie can take 1/2 a day. This is good for people who don't want to take the time to do all that PC downloading and DVD burning. Like most people, I do like the hard copy of my DVD's. I don't mind paying for it as it keeps the movie studios in business. My only real complaint of this service is it's too much. considering this isn't a physical rental it should be cheaper. $2.00 for standard and $4.00 for HD would have been a better price.

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swamplord666

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@Makaatsu Animal House is gold. One of my favorite comedies of all time. It is Cult

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OfficialBed

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I'm very material possessive. I want to hold the actual copy in my hands. Sorry Microsoft, I will not be doing this.

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NarcMonkey

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another thing to file under "who gives a rats ass?"

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gow117

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cool but its always better to download them from the pc cuz its free

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smash3230

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this will be great i always wanted to get GOOD movies on Xbox LIVE

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Makaatsu

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I can't believe the films you chose to represent the deal Gamespot, Animal House?!! How about saying awesome cult films like Scarface, The Blues Brothers, Carlito's Way, The Bourne Films, Hell you could of even gone with the Mummy films or the Hellboy films as no doubt a lot of people like those franchises. But you went with Animal House.......

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jazilla

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I like hard copies of things. There is something to be said for tangible things.

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DecadesOfGaming

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this is good news, at the moment there certainly is'nt enough films.. 101 still sounds interesting, but what will te prize be ? and how much will contestants be charged to enter ?

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tig1979

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Good idea, could do with being a bit cheaper though what with the ole credit crunch etc

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Duckyindiana

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Its a good deal if you would norm rent from blockbuster saves leaving the house.

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Extreme124

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Don't buy any movies of XBL anyway cause they only last for one day. As well you never own them... And extra view pound would get you it on Blu Ray w/ lots of extra features and 1080p

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