AfterDawn: News

Microsoft looking for new original content for Zune

Citing slow sales of their Zune media player, Microsoft is turning to Hollywood to license original content exclusive to the player.

According to a Reuters report, the software giant has been sending executives out to all the talent agencies and production companies available to find video programming that can be used exclusively on the Zune, or at least launched on the Zune exclusively at first.



Instead of just looking for traditional programs such as sitcoms, Microsoft is looking for "nonconventional" programming that will capitalize on the device's excellent social networking platform.

Richard Winn, director of entertainment development for the Zune added, "What we would be looking to do with any form of original content is the added component that Zune could provide that iTunes or any competing service couldn't."

Finding a way to separate itself from the rival Apple iPod is becoming paramount for Microsoft, especially as sales have slowed down to a crawl for the Zune media device. Since its launch in 2006, just over 2 million Zunes have been sold, whereas it is assumed that Apple sells 3.5 million iPods each month.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Aug 2008 15:47

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• 9 comments

• gallagher

  As a device, the Zune is good deal. I have one and it works wonderfully. The only problem with Zune is that there is not much 3rd party support for it.
  
  I really think it is the masses just going for the namebrand ipod rather than actually comparing the merits of each.

  11.8.2008 16:05 #1

• akira247

  thought about a ZUNE but got a ZEN instead.
  what more do you need
  
  oh yeah alot cheaper....

  11.8.2008 16:56 #2

• atomicxl

  Zune needs a price drop. Its a hard sale when it costs the same as the iPod. Make it cheaper and at least you'll catch price conscious shoppers.

  11.8.2008 19:10 #3

• MrPuffin

  yet again microsoft goes to bribery to get there products sold they did the same thing with HD-dvd to compete with blu ray and that didnt work out to well
  
  as an ipod and zune owner i would say ipods are better
  my freind hated his zune so he gave it to me since my ipod got stolen then he got an ipod

  11.8.2008 22:14 #4

• riprat

  Originally posted by gallagher: I really think it is the masses just going for the namebrand ipod rather than actually comparing the merits of each.This is what it all boils down to. People are generally not educated enough to know that there are other options out there. Gotta give props to Apple though, they made the words mp3 player and iPod synonymous.

  12.8.2008 11:14 #5

• 21Q

  They need to make the zune not look like a bootleg chinese knock off of something. It's all in the presentation.

  12.8.2008 17:06 #6

• 7thsinger

  The Zune software is thing i dislike most. As a media player, i like mine just fine.

  12.8.2008 17:16 #7

• rbeavers

  Didn't know how bad the software was in till I got an ipod. Uses M.S. points instead of money, to buy stuff is weird. Customer support is lousy reformat and reinstall is their answer for a CD that won't download. Still haven't got that CD I bought last year. The screen is better! Still waiting for Audible support! Maybe ver. 3.0????

  19.8.2008 06:09 #8

• EnigmaCM

  How about adding an equalizer function to the 80 gig Zunes like I am stuck with? I mean, come syncing wirelessly is ok as a thought but in practice in just plain sucks, I would rather lose the wireless capabilities to gain a funtioning EQ or at least at the very least EQ presets. Makes me regret getting it and now thinking of getting an IPod just or something comparable

  30.8.2008 16:19 #9