Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) said on Thursday that a million of its Xbox Live Gold online game service subscribers have now downloaded and activated an application that lets them stream movies and TV shows from online DVD rental service Netflix (NASD: NFLX).

Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) on Wednesday launched its "New Xbox Experience" initiative, which will expand the range of HD and other content available via its broadband-connected Xbox 360 video game console.

London - Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) is selling 3.8 million downloadable songs a month for the Xbox 360 versions of music video games "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band," GamesIndustry.biz reports. In a statement, the company said that Xbox Live has "delivered more than 80% of the downloadable songs for music games."

Arlington, Va. - PBS said on Tuesday that it will make several of its television shows available for download on Xbox LIVE, the online games and entertainment network of the Microsoft Xbox 360 game console. Available shows will include Wired Science, Carrier, Scientific American Frontiers, Nova, and Ken Burns' Jazz, America and American Lives.

New York - Warner Music Group (NYSE: WMG) announced that it has signed new agreements with Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace and U.K. digital retailer We7, to sell music videos and DRM-free MP3 downloads, respectively. Videos from WMG artists will be available to the 12 million worldwide Xbox Live members for download and viewing on their televisions via the game console. The ad-supported We7 service, which also offers tracks for purchase and download, will offer WMG tracks beginning in October; the company has a similar deal with Sony BMG.

San Diego - Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) said on Wednesday that it has partnered with Safran Digital Group to produce a series of exclusive short comedy films from noted horror directors for distribution on its Xbox Live service in the fall. Free comedy shorts will be offered by horror genre directors including James Wan ("Saw"), James Gunn ("Dawn of the Dead"), David Slade ("30 Days of Night"), Lucky McKee ("The Woods"), Andrew Douglas ("The Amityville Horror") and Marcus Nispel ("Friday the 13th").

Los Angeles - Rock band Motley Crue said on Tuesday that it is the first group to release a new single, "Saints of Los Angeles," for sale through the video game "Rock Band." The song will be made available for purchase as an add-on to the game for 99 cents through both Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace and Sony's PlayStation Store.

New York - Viacom's (NYSE: VIA) BET Networks on Tuesday announced a deal with Microsoft to offer a selection of full-length BET television shows for download to the Xbox 360 via the Xbox Live online service. Shows offered will include "College Hill 4," "American Gangster," "Comic View" and "Iron Ring." Currently, the Xbox Live Marketplace features more than 4,200 hours of premium entertainment content from more than 40 studios and networks.

Los Angeles - Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) will launch its first original programming for the Xbox 360 this summer, when it debuts six series produced by Safran Digital that can be downloaded to the game console via the online Xbox Live service, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Safran Digital CEO Peter Safran would not comment for THR on the titles or subject matter of the programs. "We had a very specific idea that we knew worked for a core audience. Xbox clearly has this exact same demographic," Safran told THR.

San Francisco - Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) has announced that it will make games for its Xbox 360 console developed by aspiring creators available for download via its Xbox Live service. The service will require that developers use Microsoft's XNA Game Studio software, available for a $99 annual subscription, or be a member of its XNA Creators Club. The game creation software will be made available to users beginning in the spring. Submissions will then be vetted by members of the amateur game creator community, and Microsoft will begin releasing the first user-created games in the fall.

San Francisco - Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) sold 4.3 million Xbox 360 video game consoles during the fourth quarter of 2007, and has now sold a total of 17.7 million worldwide since the device's release in 2005, Reuters reported.

Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) said on Wednesday that its Xbox Live online games and entertainment service for the Xbox 360 now counts more than 8 million members in 26 countries, adding that a free system update set for release on Dec. 4 will for the first time allow for the download of full games. The announcement comes on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the debut of Xbox Live. Titles in line for digital distribution on Xbox Live include "Halo," "Psychonauts," "Fable" and "Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge."

Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) on Monday announced an agreement with Disney's (NYSE: DIS) ESPN, to add HD and standard-definition games, TV shows and video game programming to the Xbox Live online games and entertainment network for the Xbox 360. Included in the deal will be full-length NCAA college football and basketball games, Summer X Games 13 coverage, and episodes of ESPN series such as "World Series of Poker," "The Contender" and "Madden Nation."

Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft on Tuesday introduced a new family-friendly Xbox 360 bundle, while will retail for $279 and come with five family-friendly game titles.