Microsoft is continuing its move to turn its various Xbox consoles into something more than just a gaming system.
Xbox gamers now have access to Major League Gaming, Major League Baseball and more movies from Starz.
Microsoft said Major League Gaming (MLG) launched an app for the Xbox 360 that will allow Xbox Live Gold members in Australia, Canada, the U.K. and the U.S to watch all of MLG.tv's programing. This gives Live Gold members complete access to a full slate of eGame tournaments to view along with MLG's weekly game-centric news program.
"The MLG app for Xbox 360 brings our content directly to gaming fans on Xbox Live," said Sundance DiGiovanni, MLG CEO and co-founder. "MLG broadcasts the best in competitive gaming content each week via www.MLG.TVand now Xbox 360 users can watch simply and easily. In 2013 our fans viewed 54 million hours of video and we expect that consumption to greatly increase with the addition of the MLG app on Xbox 360."
The full schedule of eGames is available here, www.mlg.tv/schedule, but a quick rundown on some of the big up coming tourneys include:
Call of Duty Championship presented by Xbox - March 28-30 - March 28 at 9am PT featuring the top 31 Call of Duty teams f playing Call of Duty: Ghosts competing for $1 million in prizes.
MLG's eSports Report - Thursdays at 7pm EDT - showcasing the latest news in competitive gaming.
MLG Call of Duty Ghosts Pro League - weeknights at 7pm EDT and weekends starting at noon EST - showcasing the top 10 MLG Pro Circuit Call of Duty teams going head to head in 180 matches.
MLG Championship - June 20-22 - broadcast live from Anaheim, CA, and featuring thousands of gamers playing Call of Duty: Ghosts.
MLG does plan to follow up with a similar app for the Xbox One later this year, but for now it is exclusive to the 360.
DiGiovanni said MLG aspires to become the ESPN of the online gaming world.
"We operate the longest-running competitive gaming league in North America, including Pro Circuit competitions around the country and millions of players competing online each month via our MLG: Play/Gamebattles online competition site. On top of that, we broadcast the best in competitive gaming daily via our premium streaming platform," he said.
In the world of live sports, Major League Baseball is now available to those Xbox One Live Gold subscribers who also have an MLB.TV premium subscription. These viewers can watch every out of market game this season and for those who miss a game they can access it via MLB's archives.
For Xbox 360 movie buffs who already pay for a Starz subscription Microsoft has made available ENCORE PLAY and MOVIEPLEX PLAY from Starz to our extensive list of entertainment apps.
