Foxtel on Xbox 360 subscribers will soon be able to access three new channels on their games console: Cartoon Network, ESPN2 and Footy Play powered by Fox Sports.
Cartoon Network has replaced CNN as part of the Get Started package, which includes Fox8, National Geographic and TV1 among others while ESPN2 has been added to ESPN, Euro Sport, Sports Play and Fuel TV in the Sports package.
Foxtel executive director of product, Jim Rudder said: “We’ve listened to feedback from our Foxtel on Xbox 360 subscribers about the service and we’re responding to the demand for more sport content and channels, and more premium entertainment brands".
On February 17, Foxtel on Xbox 360 will launch AFL channel Footy Play powered by Fox Sports. Subscribers to the Footy Play channel will be able to watch eight live games in every full round of the 2012 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, 25 live NAB Cup matches, other matches on delay and exclusive magazine programs including After the Bounce and On the Couch. An additional channel, Footy Play+, will be also used to show games.
It is just the latest move for Foxtel into the broadband space. In May 2011, Foxtel began streaming 30 channels via Telstra’s digital set-top box, T-Box. Featuring more than 300 titles, Foxtel on T-Box includes on-demand television from Foxtel, catch-up movies and TV programs.
One of the rivals to the Xbox 360, the Sony PlayStation 3, recently struck a deal with online movie rental company, Quickflix, which is now streaming movies and television programs.