Microsoft’s Ballmer and Tellem reportedly meet with TV execs in Hollywood

By Michael Rougeau June 5, 2013

Xbox One reveal NFL — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Entertainment & Digital Media division president Nancy Tellem met with TV studio executives from CBS, Sony and WME (William Morris Endeavor, a media agency) last week in an attempt to nail down exclusive television content for the Xbox One console, according to Deadline. CBS president and CEO Les Moonves, Sony Pictures Television president Steve Mosko, and WME co-CEOs Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell were all reportedly present at the meeting.

The group discussed the Xbox One and its TV-driven focus, a point that Microsoft stressed heavily in its console announcement. The focus of the meeting was apparently on bringing established studios in to deliver dedicated apps for the new platform. Something capable of delivering established content that could complement Microsoft’s growing focus on exclusive programming, such as Steven Spielberg’s planned live-action Halo show.

Ballmer also wanted to show off the new hardware and convince the Hollywood execs that Microsoft’s commitment to entertainment services is for real. Microsoft previously asserted that the Xbox One will come with more entertainment options than any other game console before it, including the aforementioned Halo show and an exclusive partnership with the NFL. Though Microsoft’s E3 press conference will focus on the games, meetings such as this one suggest that there’s more to come from the non-interactive entertainment space as well.

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Michael Rougeau

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Mike Rougeau is a journalist and writer who lives in Los Angeles with his girlfriend and two dogs. He specializes in video…

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