Microsoft is staying strangely silent on the details surrounding its new partnerships with 40 television network and cable providers to bring more television content to the Xbox 360. We’ve had to obtain more information from Verizon and Comcast instead. Verizon has revealed the need for customers to be signed up for three subscription services to access its live and on-demand content on Xbox 360. Comcast has announced Xfinity On Demand is what it’s bringing to the table.

The rumors were true everybody. Just this morning we told you there was a possibility Microsoft would reveal the content providers that would supply the Xbox 360 television initiative. Not too long ago, a complete list of partners was posted on Major Nelson’s blog. Expect to see content from the likes of HBO Go, Bravo, Syfy, Epix, CinemaNow and others. Some networks will provide content for the U.S., while others are restricted to other countries such as the United Kingdom, Mexico and France. Expect this content to roll out during the 2011 holiday season.

During E3, Microsoft announced live television (both local and national channels) will be coming to the Xbox 360. Since then, details about the service have been scarce. One of the biggest questions was whether the Xbox 360 would compete with traditional cable providers, or merely work beside them. Sources for Digiday are now saying Microsoft isn’t going to go head to head with cable providers. The Xbox 360 will serve as an alternative cable box instead.

What’s that you say? Video content from Netflix, Hulu Plus, ESPN, NHL GameCenter, Vudu, Xbox Live Marketplace and the PlayStation Network isn’t enough for you? We’ll you’re in luck today my friend. During an earnings call that took place earlier today, Time Warner chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes announced HBO Go is coming to gaming consoles.

It was recently revealed that the Xbox 360 would be compatible with AT&T’s U-Verse service. It sounds like a big deal, but it was a bit confusing to wrap your head around. AT&T has released a video showing what U-Verse will look like when it is released on October 15, 2010. If you don’t use AT&T as your television service provider, this video means nothing to you. If you’re curious, take a look and see if this is something you may be interested in adding to your home.

Have you ever sat back and thought about how much you spend a month on cable programming in relation to how much of it you use? I bring up this question because we are getting more options to experience movies and television without the need for cable. Yet there something that prevents us from using services such as Netflix and Hulu Plus as a cable replacement. As gamers, we will soon have the ability to have both of these services for less than $20 a month. Come with me as I explain why I may be canceling my cable service in the near future.

Microsoft has been in talks with Disney about incorporating some kind of subscription-based channel offering programming from ESPN into the Xbox Live service. This is far from a done deal but the partnership could allow Microsoft to broadcast ESPN shows and also include some kind of interactive games.

This would indicate that cable networks are seriously thinking about jumping on the console bandwagon. After all, there are tens of millions of possible subscribers – counting Xbox and PS3 owners, who already have the hardware connected in their living rooms – so that would be a lucrative business for everyone involved.

To help celebrate the Fourth of July 2008, DirecTV is offering a free preview weekend of its Game Lounge interactive channel for the long weekend (July 2 through 6, 2008, CH 110).

The channel allows you to play casual style games through DirecTV service (so you have to be a subscriber) using your remote. There are currently more than 40 games available on the Game Lounge, including…