Netflix Coming to PlayStation 3

[Andy Chalk]

Netflix Coming to PlayStation 3

Chalk one up for Sony: After a year of Xbox exclusivity, Netflix [http://www.netflix.com] has finally announced that it will be coming to the PlayStation 3 in November.

Talk that Netflix wanted to expand its online video rental service beyond the Xbox 360 has been floating since early this year and in September, CEO Reed Hastings said he wanted to get the service on "all the game consoles." While there's been no indication that a move to the Wii is imminent, PlayStation 3 owners are finally going to get a piece of the pie.

Netflix will initially be available on the PS3 by way of a free, streaming Blu-ray disc that uses Gizmodo [http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/bluray/bdlive.html], the disc will be required every time Netflix is used, "at least until the next major system update."

The new Netflix service for the PlayStation 3 is expected to begin streaming in November and will be available at no extra cost, aside from the standard $8.99 monthly fee, to U.S.-based PS3 owners. To learn more and sign up for your own PlayStation 3 Netflix Blu-ray disc, head over to www.netflix.com/ps3 [http://www.netflix.com/ps3].

Source: Nilcypher [http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/10/netflix-coming-soon-to-playstation-3/] for the tip.


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[UltimatheChosen]

Ah, one less console exclusive.

Now, if only games would move in the same direction.

 

[Teh_Doomage]

Netflix was always saying that it was only exclusive to XBL until the contract was up, they didn't hide that at all...so it's great that they are going multi-console.

 

[Sixties Spidey]

Cool. Let's see Nintendo provide functionality like that for the Wii or the DSi and everything will come full circle.

 

[Simalacrum]

erm... cool... but...

What exactly is Netflix, anyways? I wandered this when it came to the 360 as well.

Does it need bother anyone outside of the US?

 

[Krakyn]

erm... cool... but...

What exactly is Netflix, anyways? I wandered this when it came to the 360 as well.

Does it need bother anyone outside of the US?

Common sense would dictate that they are flix you can get from the net, but you could also try googling.

And no, it's US only.

 

[ae86gamer]

Now I can watch movies on my 360, while I'm watching movies on my brothers ps3. Yay?

 

[Tireseas_v1legacy]

erm... cool... but...

What exactly is Netflix, anyways? I wandered this when it came to the 360 as well.

Does it need bother anyone outside of the US?

Netflix is a US DVD rental company that operates via a internet site and mail rather than a store. More recently, they've gained the ability to allow direct viewing of select movies and TV shows off their website to paying members, including television series that are in the process of airing. Originally limited to using an internet browser, the "instant watch" feature is now availible on several TV boxes and the XBOX 360.

To those who own a PS3, congratulations. Now you can watch HD without shoveling out the extra dough for the disc.

 

[VanityGirl]

Ah, I knew it would happen before too long. Who knows, with all these upgrades, we might have to start paying for PSN.

 

[sirdanrhodes]

We need Netflix in the UK!

 

[Frank_Sinatra_]

Ah, I knew it would happen before too long. Who knows, with all these upgrades, we might have to start paying for PSN.

I really doubt Sony would do that ever. Sure it costs money to run PSN but it being free is one thing that Sony can hang over the heads of people who are on the fence for buying a PS3 or a 360.

OT: Pretty cool, the only problem is streaming/DLing movies to the PS3 takes forever. (In my experiences with it.)

 

[Delmar Wynn]

Now I just hope Sony will stop blocking there movie titles from streaming on Netflix.

 

[SinisterDeath]

Now I just hope Sony will stop blocking there movie titles from streaming on Netflix.

They aren't blocked on the PC, (as far as I saw) but if they are, Perhaps they'll just unblock it for PC & Ps3, and leave 360 in the dust.

Course, its well within sony's rights to block whatever content they want, to who they want. Its one of the perks of being a conglomerate.

 

[GonzoGamer]

No, it's never been blocked on the pc; that's what the on-line service was originally made for.

Was MS or Netflix charging extra for 360 access?

 

[Eri]

I don't know what time you got the tip, but I am somehow doubtful it came before I made this thread; http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.151838

 

[Wandrecanada]

It makes me angry that they are doing so much promoting of a localized service to such a wide audience (I got all the Netflix dash update crap even via email) when your console ships worldwide. Why won't MS try and obtain the same contract deals with companies like Zip.ca, Lovefilm and BigPond Movies? I'm absolutely certain that all three of those country's console populations would be highly interested in migrating to the service and the companies would enjoy a boost.

For MS pushing digital distribution over PS3's BluRay tech this should be priority for them. How much easier would it be to sell an Xbox when you can tell people they can stream or download films for a subscription cost instead of the overinflated MS points garbage? I know I'm not willing to pay those costs for a 24 hour rental. Comon MS let's get this digi distribution infrastructure built!