Xbox users will be able to watch TV on their Xbox 360 console starting mid-2008, following BT and Microsoft partnership. The British telecommunications group will expand its digital and Internet-TV platform to the Xbox 360, enabling customers not only to experience TV on their Xbox 360, but also to send and receive text messages and communicate with other online players while accessing Xbox Live.

The announcement was made on the first day of the Las Vegas CES: “For the first time consumers in the U.K. will be able to experience the advantages of an advanced TV service together with the benefits of next-generation gaming. It also means that we are able to potentially expand our BT Vision customer base by tapping into the popularity of Xbox 360,” said BT Vision chief executive Dan Marks.

BT is set to enable its broadband customers to receive the best high-definition gaming, television and movies, all through the Xbox gaming console. Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman, and Robbie Bach, Microsoft president of the Entertainment Division, made the announcement on the CES keynote January 6.

The British telecommunications and broadband Internet provider, currently one of the largest communications companies in the world, launched its broadband television service BT Vision in December 2006, powered by Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol TV Platform. The newly announced service will be available for both current and future Xbox 360 owners, who will be able to access BT Vision either from the Xbox 360 console or a set-top-box.

“We are pleased to partner with Microsoft to deliver a truly compelling connected entertainment experience to our customers,” Dan Marks said. “Our aim is to provide BT Vision on multiple platforms – giving customers greater convenience, control and flexibility over what they watch, when they watch and how they watch.”