Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer Upbeat on Market Prospects of Windows 8, Surface
Microsoft’s upcoming Surface tablets will directly challenge iPad’s dominance, according to company chief executive Steve Ballmer, stressing too that the device and Windows 8 will lead to “epic year for Microsoft.” REUTERS

Microsoft has signed a deal with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp to bring content from the Fox television network and Wall Street Journal newspaper to the Xbox 360.

Announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the Fox app will provide content from U.S. television shows such as Family Guy, Glee, The Simpsons and House, as well as updates from Fox News, to the 360.

Up to four hours of content per day from the Wall Street Journal will be available on the Xbox app, including MarketWatch, Dow Jones Newswires and technology blog AllThingsD.

Unfortunately, the apps will not be made available to all Xbox users; only gamers who have an Xbox Live Gold account - £39.99 per year - and who are 'authenticated subscribers of participating cable and satellite television distributors' will be allowed to access the apps.

Microsoft and News Corp have not yet explained what subscriptions will be required to get the apps, and we presume that they will not be initially available outside of the U.S. due to content rights deals.

Jon Miller, chief digital officer of News Corp, said: "As we continue to find new ways to deliver content to consumers, this partnership with Xbox LIVE enables our viewers to experience News Corp.'s leading media brands in an entirely new and innovative environment.

"We look forward to working closely with Microsoft to continue evolving the media experiences on Xbox LIVE and to enable consumers to take advantage of this incredibly popular and fast-growing platform."

In the UK, the Xbox 360 already offers on-demand content from Channel 4 and 5, as well as Netflix and LoveFilm; the future addition of Fox and other News Corp products will do no harm in increasing the console's features besides gaming.