Wed, Apr 21, 2010 | 15:42 BST
Report: Microsoft in talks for XBL Channel, Conan was suggested for it
Microsoft and the former president of Newscorp, Peter Chernin, are discussing the possibility of creating a television channel for Xbox 360 users.
According to a report over on Bloomberg, citing two sources close to the talks, the channel would be exclusive to Xbox Live, and to pay for it, Chernin suggested that MS charge an extra $1-$2 to Live’s subscription fee.
The channel would be owned by both Chernin and Microsoft, and would host reruns and original shows, which is Chernin’s ways of “underscoring Hollywood’s efforts” to convince viewers to pay for films and TV shows that are currently available on the Internet.
“Peter is talking to lots of people about lots of ideas in the digital space,” said Allan Mayer, his publicist who refused to comment on the talks with MS.
Wayne Hickey, a spokesman for Microsoft, declined comment.
The proposal Chernin has offered MS has yet to be responded to, according to the sources, but the two did meet on April 12.
During the meeting Chernin revealed that he had spoken with representatives for Conan O’Brien for the possibly of his own show on the channel, before it was revealed that he had signed with TBS.
Now THAT would have been worth the extra buck or two.
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Posted in: Hot, Microsoft, Rumour, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, tv
Tags: conan o'brien, newscorp, peter chernin, xbl channel
19 comments
#1
Zarckan
21/04/10, 3:46 pm
Remember 98% of brits have no idea who Conan is Steph
#2
Aimless
21/04/10, 3:48 pm
He’s a barbarian, right?
#3
Erthazus
21/04/10, 3:50 pm
This is cool. So basically fuck the videogame industry and lets turn our machines to media devices?
If Sony will make it, i hope they will make a subscription for games and subscription for the multimedia software crap and for Microsoft it’s better to be a PLATINUM service.
But Peter Chernin wants to raise bucks for it…
#4
cookiejar
21/04/10, 3:59 pm
Yeah but lets not forget this might only be for the US. Look how much content they get on Live compared to us lot.
Interesting concept, though.
#5
G1GAHURTZ
21/04/10, 4:04 pm
Games are for playing, not watching.
Err… apart from if you’re watching one of my vids, of course!
lol!
#6
Phoenixblight
21/04/10, 4:05 pm
Yeah because Gamers will so pay 1-2$ more on their already expensive subscription for some reruns. When we have the net.
#7
Gekidami
21/04/10, 4:09 pm
Conan O’Brien is so overrated.
#8
mington
21/04/10, 4:14 pm
Don’t let Arnold hear you say that
#9
Stephany Nunneley
21/04/10, 4:26 pm
Gek, one of these days…. to the moon Alice!
#10
cookiejar
21/04/10, 5:42 pm
@9 Wow, I’m a Brit and even I got that one.
POW RIGHT IN THE KISSA.
#11
Gheritt White
21/04/10, 5:56 pm
I actually thought this was about the Funcom MMO – who the fuck is Conan O’Brien?
He must have some bloody cruel parents to have lumbered him with that handle – that said, I hear years of abuse by school bullies makes for excellent stand-up comedy material when you reach adulthood.
#12
rainer
21/04/10, 6:10 pm
If your not familiar with late night talk shows or the US comedy circuit you wouldn’t know who he is, its like asking who the hell is Jonathan Ross.
Conan is a very funny guy much better at writing then performing I always thought, most of the best episodes of The Simpsons from the 90′s where made when he was a writer on the show.
#13
Stephany Nunneley
21/04/10, 6:19 pm
He does not pronounce it like Co-Nan, but surely that is why he is funny, Gheritt. Also, it is very Irish, which he is, as if you could not tell by looking at the fella.
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Conan
#14
Gekidami
21/04/10, 6:24 pm
I’m surprised some people havent heard of him, he’s been all over the place since his, ‘quite amusing yet not really worth saving show’ got canceled for Jay Leno.
#15
Blerk
21/04/10, 6:28 pm
I have no idea who he is either. I only just know who Jay Leno is.
Anyway, this sounds like a great idea providing I can opt out and not pay for it. Otherwise it’s a shit idea.
#16
revolting
21/04/10, 6:44 pm
If it’s any consolation, I’m British and I’ve been a Conan fan for over a decade. We don’t all live under rocks, and Late Night used to be distributed internationally.
If he got an xbox show, I’d be tickled pink. Unless it was US only, which it probably would be, in which case I’d sulk a lot.
#17
Phoenixblight
21/04/10, 7:25 pm
@14
Conan got offered a shit load of cash from the studio to stay off TV until September. He is coming back and he will be on TBS before George Lopez.
#18
TheWulf
21/04/10, 8:32 pm
Conan is totally rubbish.
Unless you manage to reel in Jonathon Ross, your XBL channel has nothing I want, Microsoft.
#19
mightyhokie
22/04/10, 12:23 am
Aimless, “He’s a barbarian, right?”.
No, that would be Conan, as we Yanks pronounce it, ‘Co-NAN’. This guy is Conan, as you Brits pronounce it, ‘Co-nun’. =D
Once allowed to be himself again he will be great again.
For $1-2 more a month, why not?