The Xbox 360 console hit the shelver on November 22, 2005. One year later, today, November 22, 2006, the Redmond Company is celebrating the anniversary of Xbox 360 with the release of a first wave of standard and high definition television programs and movies on Xbox Live. The new content adds to the extensive library of 160 high-definition gaming titles already made available for the Holidays.

"As announced earlier this month, Xbox Live Marketplace will now provide gamers with easy access to hundreds of full-length TV shows for download to own and movies for download to rent from CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment with more content rolled out through Xbox Live Marketplace every week. Xbox 360 is the first gaming console to offer standard and high-definition TV shows and movies via digital distribution," revealed Microsoft via a press release.

This initial lineup of TV shows and movies designed to both celebrate the anniversary of Xbox 360 and also to prepare for the Holiday season address the existent 4 million members of Xbox Live, a number that is expected to grow to 6 million by June 2007. Microsoft applauded the performances of the Xbox 360 console that sold a reported 6 million products by September 2006. The Redmond Company revealed that it forecasts an estimated 10 million consoles to be sold by the Holidays.

"We're exactly where we wanted to be this holiday with Xbox 360 retail stock availability," said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of global marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "With an incredible library of games, more than 4 million gamers playing online with Xbox Live, and a growing catalog of high-definition gaming and entertainment content, why would anyone wait in line when you can get a superior experience from Xbox 360 right now?"

High-definition TV shows will come with a price tag of 240 Microsoft Points per episode, while standard-definition TV shows will cost 160 Points per episode. HD movie content will cost 480 Microsoft Points for new releases. Standard-definition new releases will be 320 Microsoft Points. HD classic feature films will be 360 Microsoft Points while standard ones will just cost 240 Points.

"Microsoft Points can be purchased at retail or via Xbox Live. For example, gamers can get a 1,600 Microsoft Points card at retail for $19.99 (U.S.) or 1,000 Microsoft Points through Xbox Live for $12.50 (U.S.)," informed Microsoft.