MyXboxLive
The highly popular on-console video show, Inside Xbox, is due to be cancelled in the US, as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Microsoft made the announcement earlier today via community manager, Major Nelson. Although not much information was given on this end-of-an-era, he did say that Microsoft would continue to invest their resources and talents wisely.
“We will be leveraging third-party news and video content available through a variety of existing and future partners, and supplementing this content with select first-party offerings,” Nelson added.
“However, day-to-day news content and weekly programming currently offered though Inside Xbox will cease production in the United States. This includes shows like Major’s Minute, Featured Videos and Insider Moves packaged under the Inside Xbox brand.”
What does this mean for the European version? It could mean the US gets a new, better service, or Europe just make more use of it, and therefore get to keep it.
“Xbox Live in EMEA is currently looking at its operating model for Inside Xbox,” he wrote.
“Xbox Live in Mexico and Japan will continue to produce first-party content for its members via other media outside of the Inside Xbox brand.”
Microsoft has slowly introduced a number of media content providers to the Xbox 360 in the last year or so, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, 4oD and LoveFilm, with the usage of these video services reportedly outdoing the gaming side of things. More will be unveiled in times to come. Check back for more.
Are we talking North America or just the United States? The Canadian market is outside the US and gets different content on the dash, deals and such so we really can’t be lumped in with the US sector.
It’s occurring in each of the following: US, Canada, Australia, NZ. (Possibly also Europe, but it has not been explicitly announced.)
If you’re familiar with the show, you might be interested in this additional announcement, a sad little footnote, that appeared late today on Twitter several hours after the cancellation was announced: https://twitter.com/#!/TreitandTrue/status/197793570512568320