Andy Wood

REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 6, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced agreements with CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment to bring an initial lineup of over 1,000 hours of hit TV shows and movies to Xbox 360™ gamers in the U.S. by the end of the year. Furthermore, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console to bring standard and high-definition TV shows and movies via digital distribution over the Internet directly to the consumer.

Beginning Nov. 22, on its first anniversary, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console in history to provide high-definition TV shows and movies directly to gamers in their living rooms. Xbox 360 gamers will have access to the full-length TV shows as downloads to own and movies to rent via download from the Xbox Live® network, the worldwide leader in online distribution of high-definition gaming and entertainment content. This announcement also brings with it several additional “firsts”:

  For the first time, consumers will get an integrated gaming and entertainment experience on a gaming console that includes downloadable high-definition TV shows and movies. This new full-length content adds to the ever-expanding number of choices gamers have on their Xbox 360, whether they want to play games or play a movie on a disc or as a download in high definition or standard definition.

  For the first time CBS will deliver high-definition download-to-own TV shows including “CSI,” “Jericho,” “Numb3rs” and remastered “Star Trek” episodes; gamers can buy them and watch them repeatedly.

  For the first time on any platform, NASCAR.COM will deliver download-to-own condensed versions of select NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races from “Race Rewind.”

  For the first time, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will make 50 of its most intense fights available for download as well as select episodes from the original season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series.

“This groundbreaking announcement is a win for everyone,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “It connects our partners with one of the most coveted audiences in entertainment today, and provides even greater value to our Xbox Live community, allowing them to enjoy the games and entertainment they want, when they want it.”

The initial lineup of TV shows available for download to own and feature films available for download to rent will include a growing catalog of popular hits. Examples of content that will be available on the network by the end of year include the following:

  “Robot Chicken” and “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” from Adult Swim

  “CSI,” “Survivor” and “Star Trek” from CBS

  Emmy and Peabody award-winning “South Park” and “Chappelle’s Show” from COMEDY CENTRAL

  “The Real World” and “Pimp My Ride” from MTV

  “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and ”SpongeBob SquarePants” from Nickelodeon

  “Skyland” and “The Nicktoons Network Animation Festival” from Nicktoons Network

  “M:i:III,” “Nacho Libre” and “Jackass: The Movie” from Paramount Pictures

  “Carpocalypse” and “Raising the Roofs” from Spike TV

  “Race Rewind” provided by NASCAR.COM

  Select episodes of the original season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series and the “UFC: All Access” shows from the UFC

  “Breaking Bonaduce” and “Hogan Knows Best” from VH1

  “The Matrix,” “Superman Returns” and “Batman Forever” from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

NBC’s Heroes showcases a group of everyday people from all over the globe that discover they have unique and exciting new abilities. The story includes Mohinder, an Indian scientist who’s father’s passion about these individuals may have led to his death and Peter Petrelli, brother of a congressman hopeful, and feels that he can fly.

Things have started to heat up in the latest episodes of this hot new show. The characters have started to begin weaving their stories together as they learn of the potential fate of New York City. Mohinder has begun to question his role in his father’s work and is considering to move back to India. His path may be changed however, as he has come into contact with Peter Petrelli, who has had a visit from a Hiro from the future, telling him to, “Save the cheerleader, save the world.”

Hiro has come to terms that he will become a hero despite the fact that his friend has doubts and wants to take advantage of the situation. Nathan Petrelli has had an…interesting run in with Niki Sanders, who seems to be suffering from some sort of multiple personality disorder. He was recently kidnapped by the mysterious Mr. Bennett, but escaped his captors by flying miraculously into the air. Upon landing, he met up with Hiro, who saw him fly.

Peter Petrelli seems to be becoming a centerpiece of the group and has gone to Mohinder to get his help. Mohinder, for the moment, has spurned his ideas. Peter has not relented, and has tracked down Isaac Mendez, the painter who can see the future. There, he discovers what may be his true ability, that of copying others superpowers and finishes a painting that Isaac Started.

If you like or have liked comic book adventures, then this series is for you. Even though the story is a little slow is spots, I still find myself tossing the phone across the room when it rings so that I can get in my “Hero” time.