Viacom Partners With Microsoft for Casual Gaming, BET Programming on Xbox Live

Viacom and Microsoft have teamed up for a mutually beneficial content and advertising deal, with a few gaming-related endeavors included in the agreement. The terms of the deal weren't revealed, although Microsoft claims the deal is valued at $500 million.

As part of the deal, Viacom will work to become Microsoft's "preferred publishing partner across Microsoft's casual gaming platforms." These platforms comprise Xbox Live Arcade as well as MSN and Windows, on which Microsoft will host Viacom property-related downloadable games.

Microsoft has also renewed its Xbox Live Marketplace content agreement with Viacom, adding programming from BET to the already available MTV Networks and Paramount content on the multimedia download service. The non-gaming related aspects of the deal include Microsoft hosting Viacom ads on its servers and buying advertising from Viacom's television and online content channels.