Microsoft loads Xbox Live with Disney movies

Microsoft Corp. announced on Tuesday that it had struck a deal with Disney-ABC Domestic Television to make feature films from the Walt Disney Studios available for download on its online video game service, Xbox Live Marketplace.

According to the world's largest software maker, Microsoft, movies from Disney studios including titles from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchtone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax Films will be offered in high-definition on the Xbox Live marketplace.

U.S. members of Xbox LIVE, the online games and entertainment network on Xbox 360, will be able to rent popular Disney films on demand as they become available. Microsoft initially will bring 35 titles to Xbox LIVE members, such as “Bridge to Terabithia,” Miramax Film’s “The Queen” and Touchstone Pictures’ “Déjà Vu.”

"We're always looking for more ways to let people experience our films," says Disney executive Dan Cohen. "With the millions of Xbox 360 consoles in living rooms today with a direct, high-speed Internet connection, Xbox LIVE really has become a terrific device for the delivery of digital entertainment content."

The Disney titles would compliment catalogue of content from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures and Lionsgate that are contributing high-definition titles to the fast-growing platform.

The Xbox Live Marketplace is a virtual market for Xbox 360 users, which allows members to download media content. It offers movie trailers, game demonstrations, Xbox Live Arcade games amongst other services. Launched on November 22, 2006, the service has roped in content partners such as CBS, TBS, UFC, NBC, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, and Warner Bros, Home Entertainment.

Members registered with the service play online with each other and also shop from the network using their credit card. Xbox Live online video game network recently has surpassed 7 million subscribers.

Microsoft, maker of the Xbox 360 video game console and the popular "Halo" game franchise, currently offers more than 2,350 hours of content on their service which features TV shows and feature movies.

Xbox 360, the future-generation game and entertainment system from Microsoft, represents a dramatic leap forward in high-definition gaming and entertainment experiences. Xbox 360 has ignited a new era of digital entertainment that is always connected, always personalized and always in high definition.

"Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE Marketplace truly offer something for everyone of all ages, gender or personal taste," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "With this partnership, we are able to feature blockbuster new releases as they become available, as well as an incredible array of classic family films that made Disney the icon it is today."

The agreement between Microsoft and Disney-ABC Domestic Television was announced today at the E3 Media & Business Summit.

At the conference, the Redmond, Washington-based software mammoth also announced the lineup of online video games coming this holiday season on Xbox 360, including big hitters like Halo 3 and Grand Theft Auto IV.

The company rolled out trailers for three of their exclusive Role-playing games coming out this Fall, including Lost Odyssy from Hironobu Sakaguchi, Blue Dragon and Mass Effect from Bioware (due November).