ESPN lines up on XBLM

While the Xbox 360 is known first and foremost as a gaming console, Microsoft has also placed an emphasis on the hardware's multimedia capabilities. In November 2006, the console maker launched its on-demand, pay-per-view movie and television service with 48 movies and a spate of TV episodes available through Xbox Live Marketplace.

Those offerings were significantly bolstered during this year's E3 Media and Business Summit, when Microsoft partnered with Disney to offer the media conglomerate's animated and full-feature films on the Xbox 360's download service. Today, Microsoft announced another Disney Co. property, sports kingpin ESPN, is now offering its wares through the online Marketplace.

Beginning today, Xbox 360 owners can download full-length NCAA college football and basketball games, as well as segments from the Summer X Games 13, the World Series of Poker, boxing reality show The Contender, and episodes from the 2006 and 2007 season of Madden Nation, a reality show based on EA's Madden NFL sports game. Other ESPN content slated for XBLM includes sports documentaries such as Down the Barrel and college football bowl games.

Football and basketball games will be purchased in standard definition for $3 or high-def for $4.50, and should become available within a week of their live broadcasts. Episodic content can be purchased at $2 a piece for standard def and $2.40 for HD programming.