Heads up, cord cutters. Microsoft is giving you a new way to watch TV on your Xbox One.
The software giant has partnered with Hauppauge to bring support for over-the-air TV to Xbox One owners in the U.S. and Canada. This means you'll be able to access broadcast networks in your area, such as CBS, FOX, NBC, and PBS, on your console.
It's not completely free, however. You'll need to purchase the $79.99 Hauppauge WinTV-955Q tuner as well as an HDTV antenna. Right now, meanwhile, the feature is only available for members of the Xbox One preview program, but Microsoft said all Xbox One owners will be able to get it in the next few months.
"Before you decide to try out over-the-air TV, you'll need to see which channels are likely to be available in your area and find the antenna that's right for you," Microsoft said in an Xbox Wire post. "Every location is unique in terms of local terrain that may affect channel availability."
Microsoft recommended the antenna brand Mohu, and said you should go to the company's website and enter your ZIP code to see which channels are available in your area. Once you have all the necessary components, you can connect the antenna to your tuner and plug the tuner into one of the USB ports on your Xbox One, follow the on-screen instructions to set up over-the-air TV, and scan for channels. For more, check out the video below.
After you get everything hooked up, you'll be able to watch live, over-the-air TV channels on your Xbox One for free. It fully integrates Xbox One features like Snap, OneGuide, and Kinect voice control, and if you already watch TV on your console via on-demand apps like HBO GO, Netflix, Comedy Central, and Hulu Plus, and/or stream live Internet TV from Sling TV, you can enjoy these channels alongside your new local channels without having to switch inputs.
Microsoft said it will be working with Hauppauge over the next few months to release a $59.99 version of the tuner, dubbed Hauppauge TV Tuner for Xbox One, in the U.S. and Canada.
Meanwhile, Microsoft also today expanded support for its Xbox One Digital TV Tuner, which provides premium live TV features on Xbox One. It's now open to preview members in 11 more European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland), which join Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
"We're thrilled to be expanding our TV offerings, bringing TV tuners for over-the-air TV to a total 19 markets and helping gamers stay connected to their gameplay, even when they're watching TV," Microsoft said.