Microsoft beefs up media player

by Isabella Piasecka Media Week 06-May-08, 14:55

LONDON - Microsoft is to sell TV shows, including popular US series, on its digital media player Zune, and is launching a range of new features in a bid to complete with Apple's iTunes service.

From today, Microsoft will sell more than 800 episodes of TV shows such as Paramount Comedy Central's South Park and Sci-Fi Channel's Battlestar Galactica for $1.99 (£1) each, which customers can play on their Zune or computer.

In a small victory over Apple, the Zune Marketplace will also carry NBC Universal shows, including The Office and Heroes. NBC Universal has pulled its shows from iTunes over Apple's unwillingness to set different prices for TV shows.

The Zune online store already offers more than 3.5 million tracks, two-thirds of which are available in pure MP3 format, 4,800 music videos and 3,500 audio and video podcasts, available for download.

New updates for the Zune player include the ability to synchronize several shows wirelessly and simultaneously with the same computer, plus enhanced social networking features.