In a bid to further boost Xbox Live service as a major entertainment platform beyond video games, Microsoft Corp. today announced that Nancy Tellem, former president of CBS Network television entertainment group, has joined Microsoft as entertainment and digital media president.

In her role reporting to Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Studios, Ms. Tellem will oversee the launch of a newly created production studio in Los Angeles that will develop interactive and linear content for Xbox and other devices. In addition to running the production studio, she will help spearhead the company’s efforts to turn Xbox into a destination where consumers can enjoy all their entertainment in one place. Ms. Tellem and her group will collaborate with the creative community to develop unique, compelling storytelling experiences for the Xbox brand.

“We are embarking on a new chapter with the creation of a studio dedicated to making original interactive and linear content, and I’m excited to have Nancy leading this effort,” said Mr. Spencer.

The Xbox has evolved into a consumer destination for the world’s most popular TV, movies, music and sports content. With a roster of more than 65 entertainment apps, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, MLB.TV, ESPN, YouTube and Vevo, global video consumption on Xbox Live has increased 140% during the past year. In addition, this September, Microsoft will introduce 2-way TV experiences from renowned entertainment partners Sesame Workshop and National Geographic that will further expand the Xbox platform beyond games, offering entertainment options for everyone in the family.

“The Xbox is already a consumer favorite, and we now have a tremendous opportunity to transform it into the center of all things entertainment - from games, music and fitness to news, sports, live events, television series and movies - so consumers have one destination for all their entertainment needs. I look forward to building a studio team that embraces the challenges of creating true interactive content that the Xbox platform supports and to work with talent to create content that will change the way entertainment content is experienced and delivered,” said Nancy Tellem.

Nancy Tellem has been a CBS executive since 1997, most recently as senior adviser to CEO Leslie Moonves, where she explored business and strategic opportunities - domestic and international - involving content partnerships, new production models, emerging media and technologies. As president of the CBS Network television entertainment group, Ms. Tellem supervised programming, development, production, business affairs and operations. She oversaw the network’s prime-time, daytime, late-night and Saturday morning lineups (with shows like “CSI,” “Survivor,” “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “The King of Queens”). Before joining CBS, Nancy Tellem was executive vice president of business and financial affairs for Warner Bros. television and was part of the team that launched the landmark programs “Friends” and “ER”.

Tags: Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox Live, HDTV