ESPN, Microsoft, Held Talks About an Xbox Live Deal NY Times

Microsoft held in-depth talks with Walt Disney Co. about a deal to put ESPN programming on the subscription gaming service Xbox Live, The New York Times reports, citing sources.

No deal is imminent, the paper said, and the companies declined to comment. Possible programming options would be subscription living streaming of sports events, and interactive ESPN-branded games.

Microsoft wants consumers to think of the service as a cable channel, not just a gaming console.

--Elizabeth Jensen