Netflix coming to Xbox 360 and PS3?

According to a blogged up blog post on the interblogs, a Netflix survey that's supposedly been making the rounds suggests that the service may be coming to both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. If you believe what Seanbajuice has to say, the survey asked, "If as part of your Netflix membership you could instantly watch movies and TV episodes on your TV with your PS/3 or XBOX 360, how likely would you/anyone in your household be to do that?" The survey then goes on to state that both the PS3 and the 360 will be able to play streaming media by using a "special Netflix disc." Here's the kicker: there won't be any extra fees besides the $3 charge for the disc. Of course, nothing is mentioned about how the PS3 will handle the Microsoft-based DRM, and while the whole thing sounds too good to be true, there have been rumblings about this recently, so let's just cross our fingers and make a wish, okay?

[AJ in the East Bay @ Feb 11th 2008 11:51PM]

Go for it Netflix!

[Darkest Daze @ Feb 12th 2008 12:13AM]

I see your "Go for it Netflix" and raise you a "Bring it on!".

[Cash @ Feb 12th 2008 12:19AM]

This might make up to me their slashing of HD-DVD this morning. I've been using the "watch it now" service more then their mail service lately anyway. You can't beat instant gratification.

[Reader @ Feb 12th 2008 1:42AM]

Please do... I was reading this thinking it's way too good to be true. I hope that this actually makes it!

[moraross @ Feb 21st 2008 5:21AM]

I will get rid of cable if this happens. I'll have no need for it. Public TV is in HD now, and is free. I got my culture, news and kids shows from there, and all the really good TV shows I actually want to waste my time on from Netflix. And of course, the movies.

[Alexander @ Feb 11th 2008 11:55PM]

that would destroy blockbuster if they released prepaid cards you could buy with cash

[Flashpoint @ Feb 12th 2008 12:01AM]

There is a bootleg store near me which charges $3 for a DVD and the quality is near original DVD quality. I just don't see the use of renting Netflix discs or downloading movies on XBL.

[AJ in the East Bay @ Feb 12th 2008 12:04AM]

There are legal RedBox kiosks where you can rent movies for $1.00 and since you don't seem to mind about legit discs you can go ahead and rip them. That's even a better deal.

[Jeff @ Feb 12th 2008 12:05AM]

You mean, other than not renting illegal bootlegs?

Does your illegal bootleg store have 70,000 titles? Do they carry high definition bootlegs too?

[Jeff @ Feb 12th 2008 12:06AM]

btw my comment was directed towards Flashpoint - another reply got in while I was writing mine.

[Anonymous @ Feb 12th 2008 12:33AM]

@Flashpoint

How about people like you stop ruining it for people like me.

[mrmimis06 @ Feb 12th 2008 12:55AM]

bootleg store that charges for dvd rentals? Hmmm. I think you mean like a mom and pop shop type of store.

[AJ in the East Bay @ Feb 12th 2008 1:27AM]

Flashpoint probably meant that he "buys" the bootlegs at $3 a pop.

[toppgun @ Feb 12th 2008 1:24PM]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
you actually buy pirated copies?
//uses netflix so i dont have to pirate on the intarwebz

[rv @ Feb 12th 2008 12:58PM]

Dude, that is the dumbest idea ever. If you want a pirated version just go to the pirates bay and wait a day. LOL, someone on this website actually buys bootlegs.

[ET @ Feb 12th 2008 4:30PM]

You mean, you need to get out of the house? Poor you.

[Brandon @ Feb 12th 2008 12:03AM]

I used to have a Netflix membership but canceled after a couple months, but if they brought the movies to my 360 I might just consider re-subscribing. I'm always in favor of cheaper content, becoming more accessible. I would be excited to see this come to fruition.

[Skullfighter @ Feb 12th 2008 12:36AM]

I totally agree. I have often considered Netflix but never did it for one reason or another. THIS, sells me. Heck, I just rented Stardust off of my 360 tonight. Waited 20 minutes to buffer and I watched. I mean, you just can't beat that.

P.S. Great movie BTW!

[Jeff @ Feb 12th 2008 12:03AM]

I called this one several months ago, although for some reason I thought it'd be PS3-only. Well, not "for some reason" - it kinda would compete directly against Xbox Live. I still think it's a lot more likely on PS3 than 360.

But no doubt Netflix would *love it* if they could get themselves on every console out there. That's a potential market of what, around 50-75 million households in the US when all is said and done this generation?

I don't quite get the $3 disc, though. Why can't it just be a download through PSN, like it is on PC?

[Draconis2941 @ Feb 12th 2008 12:09AM]

They proabably need a disk to run their own DRMed streaming media player. Still SWEET!

[Tom @ Feb 12th 2008 12:15AM]

Probably to limit support hassles.

[ej @ Feb 12th 2008 9:00AM]

@Draconis
-if they can make PC software that handles the DRM, I don't see what's keeping them from doing the same with a console... I guess the only advantage might be that you could bring your netflix on demand disc to other people's houses and watch it on any compatible console (not that I know that this is a definite feature).

Call me a couch potato, but I love being able to do as much as possible with a console without having to get up and turn it off and on, switch discs,etc., so I'd certainly appreciate a discless version.

[Chad @ Feb 12th 2008 8:42AM]

"I still think it's a lot more likely on PS3 than 360."

Huh? If you read the article, Watch Now is currently using Microsoft DRM exclusively. If fact, the service *almost* works on the 360 right now, via the Media Center Extender. I can install the player, but I get an error as soon as the movie starts to stream. I'm sure it's just a small tweak on the 360 side of things, but there's just no way it's going to be that simple on the PS3.

[srw985 @ Feb 12th 2008 12:58PM]

Plus the 360 makes alot of noise when using a disc!

[gamedude420 @ Feb 12th 2008 12:09AM]

well i hope on ps3 they dont just stream the video but downloads the entire video or atleast part of it to the hdd. ld is working with netflix for a settop box in future bluray players. so it would only be fitting for th ps3 to o this for hd streams and sd streams. also for hd streams if they use any hd sound codecs the ps3 would be best, since the 360 is hdmi 1.2. but most of all i can't see ms having netflix on the 360, only due to ms having their own movie download service. this with the ps3 dvr capabilities only makes it perfrect for when they nounce one with a larger hd .. ( ganted ill just stick in a muc larger drive in mine. well hen i buy ps3 once msg 4 comes out)

[Mike @ Feb 12th 2008 12:19AM]

Why the hell would Microsoft sign off on this? Who the hell is going to buy movies off of Xbox Live when they can rent via Netflix, a service many users probably already have...

Also, Netflix should be renting GAMES for consoles, not movies. It still blows my mind that I can't rent games via Netflix yet.

[Rususeruru @ Feb 12th 2008 12:26AM]

Maybe because gamefly already does that.

[gamedude420 @ Feb 12th 2008 12:31AM]

well if netflix would start renting games that would own, the could easily give gamefly a run for its money

[Skullfighter @ Feb 12th 2008 12:40AM]

@Gamedude420

Man dude, I totally agree with you. I love being able to download stuff. It's just too easy. The only problem I have is impulse purchases. I almost purchased BioShock but talked myself out of it. If it had been available to download, I would blown $60 bucks in a second.

If Xbox live had more selection I would be addicted. (Last sentence was referring to movies, not games)

[Skullfighter @ Feb 12th 2008 3:48PM]

Do you want 1,000 downloads at $4 bucks a piece or 10,000 downloads at $1 buck a piece. It's a no brainer to me.

[BowserUSC @ Feb 13th 2008 2:16AM]

I agree with the fact that Netflix should have games. I've got both services and Netflix is so much more efficient. Usually only takes 2 days to get a new movie once I send the old one in. Gamefly usually takes me about a week or 2, even longer sometimes. I've waited 3 weeks for gamefly to send a new game and that was after having to report the game I sent in missing (it finally showed up at gamefly about a week after I reported it, 2 weeks after I mailed it). I'm literally talking a month without a game. What's even more confusing is I live in LA, and the gamefly distribution center is in city of industry while netflix is farther away in santa ana.

[james @ Feb 12th 2008 12:33AM]

YAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! all my problems are now solved

[Geoff @ Feb 12th 2008 12:34AM]

They can produce a special streaming app for the Xbox 360 and PS3 but can't get it going on the Mac? Someone's got their DRM panties in a wad.

[edgore @ Feb 12th 2008 12:40AM]

They have already announced that it's coming to the Mac this year.

[Ray-- @ Feb 12th 2008 1:45PM]

yes i think it's coming when they switch over to silverlight.

[PhilxBefore @ Feb 19th 2008 2:30PM]

lol 20 minutes? It takes maybe 4-6 minutes to start playing, and thats on the wireless network.

Didn't know Xbox 360 was 56k compatible. =Þ

[edgore @ Feb 12th 2008 12:44AM]

The disc thing does seem very strange, it would be much more convenient to have it as an downloaded app. I was thinking that maybe this was to get around problems of competition with XBOX media downloads, - that maybe MS was not willing to allow it, so end run with a disc, but the disc will have to go through Microsoft approval in order to run on an XBOX as well. Still it's better than nothing.

As far as competing with Live, the movie section in Netflix Watch It Now has almost no overlap with Live - it's largely smaller indy movies, some of which look pretty good and I would be happy to watch through my XBOX.

[Colin @ Feb 12th 2008 12:48AM]

This is legit. I got the survey today, I hope to god it is true.

[Nick Catalano @ Feb 12th 2008 12:52AM]

I am already thinking about getting a PS3 for Bluray. If Sony could remove the restrictions they place on Linux so XBox Media Center could run on it (ironic?) and then this I would be all over this. The PS3 is way more useful as a media player than as a game console (I like the Wii much more.)

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Feb 12th 2008 1:05AM]

No thanks. I got a PS3 partly because I wanted to see top-quality HD content. If I wanted to view lower quality content I'd watch it on my Mac Mini which is attached to my TV or on my 360.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Feb 12th 2008 12:41PM]

I invite any of you fools who modded me down to compare the overcompressed 720p movies on the XBox 360 service to even an average quality HD-DVD or BluRay. Then come back and mod me down for stating quality is what I want foremost.

I've been waiting for Pan's Labryinth on BluRay from Netflix for over a month. You think I'm tempted to punch that "play" button next to it in my queue and view a streamed, overcompressed version? Think again.

Chumps.

[BowserUSC @ Feb 13th 2008 2:20AM]

You're a fool.

[ChrisMc @ Feb 12th 2008 1:34AM]

I would so love the Xbox stream or whatever it will be.
That would make me a solid Netflix user.

[gomerpyle @ Feb 12th 2008 1:38AM]

What makes you think that MS has anything to do with this. The disc likely runs their proprietary player and probably has nothing to do with XBL at all. If it uses their Bandwidth and their application to watch the movie, there is no reason that Netflix would need or want to talk to MS or get their OK. They would in essence be competing directly with XBL for your viewing dollar and your eyeballs, that is all.

[Emre Aydinceren @ Feb 12th 2008 2:40AM]

XBOX or PS3 is not like writing for PC. You need Microsoft or Sony to publish your software. Sony is a movie studio by itself and Microsoft has XBOX live. This sounds just a rumor, not probable.

[scrappy @ Feb 12th 2008 1:48AM]

Reed Hastings (Netflix CEO) is on the Microsoft board of directors. It's almost a certainty that Netflix will deliver content through the 360. There's no reason why they couldn't do this, regardless of Xbox Live. It could be just another app that takes advantage of the video codecs on the 360 and outside of the Live Marketplace or it could replace the Video Marketplace backend.

[BowserUSC @ Feb 13th 2008 2:22AM]

Newsflash!!!
Microsoft buys netflix exponentially boosting the quality and service of their live rental service.

[Shmapple @ Feb 12th 2008 2:00AM]

Netflix will end up doing this as an answer to AppleTV take 2 and the iTunes movie rentals.

[Jeff @ Feb 12th 2008 10:35AM]

I wish their answer to the AppleTV was to integrate Watch-It-Now into the AppleTV.

That doesn't seem likely though. :\

[Tommy @ Feb 12th 2008 2:25AM]

Microsoft wouldn't be opposed to this. I disagree with all of you arguing they already have Live Marketplace so they wouldn't do it. If your Xbox is connected to a MCE machine, you already have access to two third-party movie providers, Vongo and Movielink.

And just think what they'd be up against if they didn't do it as well...a PS3 with both a Bluray player AND Netflix service.