Tag: Microsoft

Streaming economics are shifting from content-driven strategies to control over systems like discovery, access, and monetization. With rising marginal costs in areas like cloud gaming and AI, ads are reappearing at points of access rather than within core experiences. Discovery…

Microsoft is testing an ad-supported tier of Xbox Cloud Gaming that lets users play short sessions in exchange for pre-roll ads. This model addresses the high marginal costs of cloud gaming by using advertising to fund access, creating a free…

From the Archives revisits Microsoft’s early attempt to make the Xbox a digital media hub with the launch of the Xbox Live Video Marketplace in 2006. Long before streaming took over, Microsoft pushed digital ownership through its ecosystem of Xbox,…

From the Archives revisits how Beam set out to revolutionize game streaming with real-time viewer interaction, only to be acquired and eventually shuttered by Microsoft after rebranding it as Mixer. Despite superior tech and exclusive streamer deals, Mixer couldn’t build…

Microsoft posted $76.4 billion in revenue for fiscal Q4, up 18% year-over-year, driven by strong performance across all segments, including a 21% jump in advertising revenue. The gains were fueled by increased demand and new AI-powered tools enhancing ad targeting…

Microsoft has officially shut down its Movies & TV store on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, ending new purchases as of today. Users can still access previously bought content via the Movies & TV app, though no refunds will be…

Touchcast, acquired by Infinite Reality (now Napster Corp) for $500M, is powering a new AI push via its cCDN tech, developed with Microsoft. The platform, now called Napster AI, uses generative AI to deliver content across distributed networks and builds…

Microsoft beat Wall Street expectations in Q3 FY2025 with $70.1 billion in revenue and $25.8 billion in net income, driven by 20% growth in Microsoft Cloud revenue. Azure grew 33%, while Office 365 and cloud services also saw strong gains.…

Xbox Game Pass was supposed to revolutionize gaming with a subscription-based model, but it has fallen short of expectations. Despite Microsoft's major acquisitions and cloud gaming push, Xbox remains in a distant third place behind PlayStation and Nintendo, with traditional…

Xbox Cloud Gaming will arrive on select LG Smart TVs later in 2025, allowing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to stream games from the Xbox Game Pass library and some owned titles via the LG Gaming Portal. While LG has…