The Xbox 360 always had a lot of potential. Yet, Microsoft’s console was never quite on par with other consoles such as the PlayStation. Now, Microsoft is attempting to step up their console game by providing Xbox 360 Live users with access to a whole bunch of networks that are in high demand (and are also quite popular).

Microsoft made the network announcement yesterday, though this news didn’t get much press (due to other, more important, tech stories such as the passing of Apple’s Steve Jobs). Still, the news that the Xbox 360 will soon stream various TV networks is worth talking about. If you have an Xbox 360, you’ll want to stay tuned to what Microsoft is about to unleash.

The Networks

Yes, HBO is one network that Microsoft plans to give 360 users access to. In addition to the wildly popular HBO, 360 users will also gain access to SyFy and ESPN (to name a few). All of these networks are in high demand amongst consumers, so it makes sense that Microsoft would attempt to gain access to these choice selections.

Of course, Microsoft won’t allow 360 users to gain network access for free. In order to make some cash off of this venture, Microsoft has released some pricing that some consumers may go for, though other consumers may find the company’s overhead too steep. So, just how much will it cost you to stream HBO shows through your Xbox 360?

Pricing Details

If you aren’t already a subscriber, you’ll have to pay the Xbox 360 Live Gold membership fee of $60 per year. In addition, you will have to pay for whichever provider you want to use. For example, if you want to pay for what Verizon has to offer, you will have to fork over the cash that Verizon is asking.

If you think that this new Xbox 360 streaming service sounds a lot like Hulu, you aren’t mistaken. In fact, it seems as though Microsoft has taken a lot of cues from companies such as Hulu. Regardless, this is an exciting time for Microsoft and for all Xbox 360 fans out there.

How The Streaming Will Work

Microsoft plans to use Bing voice search in conjunction with Kinect to allow users full control of voice command. For instance, you will be able to tell your Xbox to look for a certain channel, and, technically, your Xbox should respond accordingly. Make no mistake, the voice commands that Microsoft will offer is not comparable to Apple’s Siri, but it is still an innovative way to allow users to search for shows and stations via voice.

After reading all about what the Xbox 360 will soon do, you might be wondering when this service will become available. Unoriginally, Microsoft will unleash the power of the voice-controlled Xbox 360 on the world this holiday season. So, if you don’t know what to get that gamer on your list, consider a Xbox 360 Gold membership – you can’t go wrong there.