Microsoft has announced a deal that’ll bring the Sky Player, Sky TV’s online service, to Xbox LIVE. Boing!

Microsoft and Sky are still tweaking the finer details of the final package. If it’s anything like the Sky Player service that’s been available on PC for some time now users will be able to pick from a variety of subscription packages to suit their entertainment needs – including blockbuster movies, the best of music and the arts, thought-provoking documentaries and, of course, the all important Premier League-powered Sky Sports content.

All of the above, and possibly more, will be available to watch live or on-demand, which is to say on a pay-per-view basis. As such users needn’t even buy one of the monthly subscription packages, picking and choosing the best bits from Sky’s myriad offerings. Better yet, there’s no need to install an ugly external aerial or buy any kind of plug-in dongle – it all works via the magic of broadband, you see.

The Xbox LIVE Sky Player is also set to offer interactivity hitherto unavailable on the service. In the case of the Sky Sports content this could be online chat during footy matches, fixtures updates, instant results and so on. Very cool!

It all kicks off on Xbox LIVE this autumn. Prices are still very TBC, although Microsoft seems happy for us to use the existing PC-based service as a cost-basis. In which case we’re looking at monthly subscription packages starting at £15 and individual programmes from a £1 upwards.

Not bad, eh. The Sky Player is a great addition to the Xbox 360’s armoury too. Moreover the 360 is a giant step closer to becoming the all-singing/dancing home entertainment media hub that Microsoft always wanted it to be. Now, if they can just sort that noisy cooling fan out...