Microsoft and Sky will announce on Friday that from the autumn, UK owners of the Xbox 360 video game console will be able to watch selected Sky TV programmes, including Premier League football, via their game consoles.

Precise details on pricing and content will be released later, but the package is likely to be offered as an extension to Sky’s existing viewer choices. Subscribers to Sky’s most expensive HD, multiroom or broadband packages should be offered the service at no extra charge.

For non-Sky customers, the service is likely to operate on a pay-per-view basis as part of the Xbox Live download and rental service, in a similar way to Sky’s existing internet viewing service, Sky Player TV, which launched in December, 2008.

The deal is the first of its kind anywhere in the world between a major commercial broadcaster and a games console manufacturer.

“I think that everyone around the world will look at this service and say, ‘This is fantastic!’”, Neil Thompson, Head of Xbox UK and Ireland, told The Times. “It’s great for the UK that we are pioneering a brand new entertainment service.”

For Microsoft, the move plugs a perceived gap in the UK: the Xbox 360 is the only one of the three main games consoles that does not offer access to the BBC’s iPlayer service, which allows viewers to catch up on TV and radio programmes for up to seven days after broadcast.

Stephen Nuttall, Director of Sky’s Commercial Group, said, “We are obviously delighted and flattered to be chosen as a partner by Microsoft for this pioneering venture. We are confident there will be a broad range of content roughly comparable to what we offer via a PC.”

Asked why he thought Microsoft had chosen Sky rather than deliver an iPlayer channel, Mr Nuttall replied: “You’ll have to ask them that. Obviously, it’s easier for Microsoft to come up with a commercial model with a commercial organisation than it is to come up with a commercial model with an organisation that is – by charter – not commercial.”

The new service will go live in the UK only in autumn this year. Sky is 39.1 per cent owned by News Corporation, the parent company of The Times.