Netflix founder joins Microsoft's board

Get ready to mop the juices fanboy, Microsoft just announced that Reed Hastings, chairman and chief executive of Netflix, will join their 10-member board of directors. So Microsoft -- the people behind the Xbox Live video-download service -- and Netflix -- recently seen pushing into digital delivery of video -- are now officially in cahoots. Of course, we must be careful about reading too much into board-level appointments. After all, no business deals were included in the announcement. But damn if this doesn't sound like a potential win-win for both camps: Microsoft could quickly extend their meager video catalog while Netflix finally lands themselves a living room box. With both facing stiff competition from the likes of Amazon/TiVo, Wal-Mart, and now Apple, it sure smacks of something in-the-works, eh? Oh, and it wouldn't be too bad for us consumers either.

[Via Business Journal, Thanks Dave K.]

[Thataboy @ Mar 27th 2007 8:38AM]

Great, so I guess we can expect Mac compatability of the Netflix download service sometime around half-past never.

[Russ @ Mar 27th 2007 9:38AM]

@Thataboy: HA HA! [/nelson]

[Bazanime @ Mar 27th 2007 9:43AM]

oh so its only fanboys that will like this news, but apple tv news is great for everyone. sigh

[Ray-- @ Mar 27th 2007 9:55AM]

man i hope they do a deal, having it all integrated and accessible via xBox etc will be sweet!!

[Matt B @ Mar 27th 2007 10:00AM]

No wonder why MS is also bringing out 120GB HD's teh 360.

[Chris @ Mar 27th 2007 10:03AM]

I have been sitting there saying.. I wish I could stream netflix onto the XBOX 360.. Or that XBOX 360 had better movies, or at least something considered a "Selection" I shouldn't have more DVD's than XBOX360 has available to purchase online.

[Kyrra @ Mar 27th 2007 10:03AM]

Meh. As much as I would want to be paranoid about this, I really can't be. I've been watching "board" announcements across many companies in the last few years, and it seems some people sit on multiple boards at the same time (they tend to be in different markets though).

The Netflix dude on the MS board doesn't mean jack.

[KRJ @ Mar 27th 2007 10:18AM]

Companies that 'consolidate' services or join forces rarely have positive outcomes for consumer's bank accounts. I would much rather have more competition and innovation rather than Microsoft feeding us another piece of bloat-ware.

[itguy07 @ Mar 27th 2007 10:46AM]

Maybe it's time to go to Blockbuster and $hitcan Netflix...

[Just Me @ Mar 27th 2007 3:48PM]

Maybe releated in IPTV? Hmmm

[Talon Trax @ Mar 27th 2007 6:31PM]

Geez, just when I was really digging Netflix, they have to go and ruin it by hooking up with MS. I hate MS and will change rental services just to defy MS if they end up working together.

[Yardman @ Mar 28th 2007 12:49PM]

@Talon Trax

your a loser....

[Jake @ Mar 29th 2007 7:37PM]

Wow, he was my dad's college room mate. That's pretty sweet!

[Jeremy Luinstra @ May 3rd 2007 7:06PM]

I for one welcome our new home entertainment overlords.