Live Video Marketplace to generate $92m in '07

Microsoft could be in line to make US $92.25 million (EUR 71.32m) through the Xbox Live Video Marketplace in 2007, according to a new report by Emerging Media Dynamics.

Entitled 'Spotlight on Television 2.0 Leaders: Microsoft', the report suggests that revenue from the service, which offers downloadable movie and TV content for the Xbox 360, could reach US $726 million (EUR 561m) by 2011.

The service is only currently available in North America, where Microsoft has partnered with companies such as Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and MTV Networks to deliver movies and TV shows direct to the consumer.

"Xbox 360 has become one of the top distributors of our content direct to consumers' TV sets over the internet," commented Warner Bros. exec Andrew Mellet, last week.

Moving the Xbox 360 into the home entertainment market is one of Microsoft's key goals for the console, with the company recently announcing details of an IPTV service due by 2008.

The service will allow consumers to use the Xbox 360 as a digital recorder, and include crossover features such as the ability to record TV content while playing games.