Netflix headed for the Wii?

There's a new survey from Netflix making the rounds, asking customers if they'd like to watch Netflix on the Wii. The service would apparently require a $9.99 "Netflix Instant Streaming Disc," which users could pop into the system when they wanted to watch -- far be it from Nintendo to offer a firmware update. While many of the folks we know are already getting Netflix on their Xboxen, the Wii would obviously let Netflix hit a lot more households with those Instant Watch goodies, if this ever comes to pass. As for Sony, it's still denying any plans for Netflix on the PS3, but perhaps this would help change its mind (and won't involve another $10 DVD -- we only have so many Hamiltons to go around).

[Ignatius @ Mar 21st 2009 1:37PM]

$10 for a disk that probably costs them 10 cents to make. C'mon now... it's free to download on the 360, why not on the Wii?

[Dr. Spaceman @ Mar 21st 2009 1:54PM]

Because they want to make money. They are a business, you know.

[Jean-Luc @ Mar 21st 2009 2:30PM]

Why are the original screenshots showing just $2.99?

[John B @ Mar 21st 2009 2:50PM]

They'd also have to go through Nintendo directly via the Wii Shop Channel in order to make it available as a download. Nintendo might not be willing to do that or it might be too much trouble for Netflix to go that way. So, it's very possible that a disc-based solution is easier for Netflix in this case. They're also doing the same thing when it comes to the PS3.

[patsy @ Mar 21st 2009 3:17PM]

@John B: Too much trouble for Netflix? Have you looked at some of the utter junk for sale on the Wii Shop channel? Some of it feels like a ten minute hack job, and they were still able to host it up for sale there. I seriously doubt that's the reason.

[Chris Are @ Mar 21st 2009 5:04PM]

I hate that "they are a business you know" excuse. Yes, they're a business and we are customers. There's an exchange between two parties, and ideally those two parties should keep one another in mind. That's like a good restaurant or something going out of business and everyone being like "well I can't throw my money around to everyone!" Customers should support a good product and companies should respect the customer by offering a fair price. That's a fair exchange.

/end rant

[John B @ Mar 21st 2009 7:39PM]

@Patsy:

Did the "might be" in my statement escape your grasp or something? :P

[Jamesology @ Mar 21st 2009 11:20PM]

Heck.... after buying the wii and every other accessory, I would of thought this would be nothing to you. Finally something for the Wii that does not cost me 29.99 or 19.99.

[iofthestorm @ Mar 22nd 2009 5:17AM]

@John B: Even with a disc-based game, they still need to go through Nintendo and get a license and SDK, so it's pretty much the same hassle either way, except with WiiWare you don't need to press disks.

[grull27 @ Mar 21st 2009 1:40PM]

lol, no HD

[ZaxCG2 @ Mar 21st 2009 5:59PM]

You mean... 480p isn't HD?

[Me @ Mar 21st 2009 6:49PM]

Nope, 480p is Enhanced Definition. ED.

[Rogue_Genius @ Mar 21st 2009 7:21PM]

I'm pretty sure Zax is joking...lol
::whooshing noise::

[Mike D @ Mar 22nd 2009 3:27AM]

"Nope, 480p is Enhanced Definition. ED."

Lier! you are not me!

[nickzny @ Mar 21st 2009 1:45PM]

How many oddball platforms will netflix reach out to before throwing Linux users a bone?

[Mark @ Mar 21st 2009 1:57PM]

Probably all the ones with a higher install-base in an actual living room. Given that Linux has less than 1% of the PC market, and a large chunk of tha 1% is sales of under-powered, low-cost computers that couldn't serve as HTPC's in their wildest dreams... probably a lot of platforms are going to see some loving before Linux.

[glenn s @ Mar 21st 2009 3:42PM]

@mark
"and a large chunk of tha 1% is sales of under-powered, low-cost computers that couldn't serve as HTPC's in their wildest dreams"

Part of your point about linux having an insignificant market share may be true, but the part about the machines being underpowered is complete bull. First of all, anyone putting together a new PC is almost by definition, some kind of enthusiast. So these machines will be designed exactly to meet the users needs. Second, you would be hard pressed to find any pre-fab system for sale today (short of an atom based net-top with Intel's integrated graphics) that could not serve as an HTPC. The requirements really are pretty low end to get 1080P video.

@nickzny
The only reason Netflix doesn't work on Linux natively is because MS got them to use silverlight 2.0 for their streaming content. The open source Moonlight 2.0 is in alpha now. Moonlight is an open source implementation of silverlight backed by Novell, with Microsoft's support. If we're lucky, Netflix will be supported when this is released in September. In the meantime, Netflix runs pretty well in an XP virtual machine on top of Linux. Or you try PlayOn from TheMediaMall and serve the Netflix stream to a Linux HTPC from a windows desktop.

[Ian @ Mar 21st 2009 4:17PM]

Boxee actually is working with netflix to work for linux x86 platforms. There was also hulu support but hulu nixed that because of publishers. Netflix should throw windows pc users an hd streaming bone since it is available on all the other devices....

[glenn s @ Mar 21st 2009 10:05PM]

@ian

No, actually, they are not. There were false reports that Boxee had Netflix support back in December. Those reports have still not been corrected and still come up if you search for them. The Boxee guys are pretty miffed about it actually, since they never announced that. They support Netflix only on Mac at the moment. Their position is pretty much, "Boxee will support Netflix on Linux when Netflix supports Netflix on Linux".

[dnl2ba @ Mar 21st 2009 11:19PM]

The Wii is an oddball platform now?

[Mike D @ Mar 22nd 2009 3:32AM]

@glenn

I would say its safe to say that Mark was talking about netbooks when he was talking about underpowered pc's your point would have been better served by saying that those are probably actually a small percentage of linux pc's in users homes rather than barely acknowledging their existence.

[reality @ Mar 21st 2009 1:45PM]

hmm. all from a disk...?

i dont know how. i guess,...yea....ok i can maybe see how that would work.

[kiwi @ Mar 21st 2009 1:48PM]

Smart idea, but I agree having to put in a disk is annoying. Certainly another drawback of only having 512MB of built in memory... it sounds like you'd always have to have the disk in if you want to watch something.

I don't think it's a big deal not having HD, considering DVDs are only 480p. For people who only have a Wii, this sounds like a good service.

[Luke @ Mar 21st 2009 1:50PM]

Couldn't they just release it as WiiWare?

[TavisJohn @ Mar 21st 2009 2:03PM]

Maybe if Nintendo releases an update that allows you to run WiiWare off of an SD card.

Untill then the Wii only has 512mb of space for software and save files.

[Kris @ Mar 21st 2009 2:14PM]

@TavisJohn, why do you think Netflix's application would take up more than 512MB? That makes no sense. More than likely Netflix's DVD will consist of 10-20MB worth of application and that's it.

They could easily do this.

[John B @ Mar 21st 2009 2:53PM]

Nintendo supposedly has a restriction that WiiWare titles can only be 40 MB max.

But as I mentioned earlier, to make it availble through WiiWare means they'd also have to go through Nintendo directly via the Wii Shop Channel in order to make it available as a download. Nintendo might not be willing to do that or it might be too much trouble for Netflix to bother wanting go that route.

[Prince Muyo @ Mar 23rd 2009 6:01PM]

I believe the Netflix app on the 360 is 20MB (which seems like more than it needs to be). Of course, the 360 already has WMV support, but I'd think that could easily fit within 20MB.

[dcoaster @ Mar 21st 2009 2:00PM]

I'm lovin' the plural form of XBox.

[miko34 @ Mar 21st 2009 2:00PM]

For people who don't have Xbox Live Gold, $10 is a better alternative if you have both systems ... but putting in a disc every time you want to watch one of these movies is kinda dumb. The whole point of having downloaded movies is so that we don't have to keep putting in discs that could get scratched or lost. And yeah ... it should be a free download anyway since we already pay for Netflix AND internet use.

Netflix just wants to bury Blockbuster in the ground, so they want to soak every electronic hardware piece with their software so that it becomes a brand name for downloading movies like Kleenex is to tissues (or Blockbuster was for VHS rentals).

[Persian @ Mar 21st 2009 2:04PM]

Its not a better alternative. NO HD FTL

[Tyanney @ Mar 21st 2009 2:29PM]

You don't need xbox live at all if you have PlayOn. PlayOn allows you watch hulu, netflix, amazon, you tube, and a bunch more on the ps3, xbox 180 and soon the wii. Check it out: http://www.themediamall.com/playon it's free for 14 days then $39.99 buys it for life.

[Tommy @ Mar 21st 2009 2:07PM]

If you click through to the original picture on Joystiq, it says the disc is $2.99. Anyways, if you already own a 360, this is a moot point. I guess if you are a Silver Xbox Live member, that fee is nothing compared to buying Gold only for Netflix, but why would you need to put the disc in anyways? Is Nintendo being that big if dicks and not allowing Netflix to add a Wii Channel for this? Or is this some ridiculous attempt at DRM? Or is Netflix just bypassing Nintendo's official permission and releasing this on their own(doubtful)?

Either way, I think the experience on the Wii will be terrible compared to the 360 experience.

[Ignatius @ Mar 21st 2009 2:09PM]

$30 for 13 months is not that bad. 10+ million people pay that much for two months of WoW.

[Tommy @ Mar 21st 2009 9:38PM]

Well, most people aren't smart and just pay $50 through the console for 12 months. And I'm not being down on Live. I myself subscribe. But if you just want Netflix without online gaming, the Wii is cheaper in that one time. But then again you are missing out on upscaling. For those you say no HD, the Wii could possibly do 720p over component for streaming, but will Nintendo get off their lazy butts to enable it. Probably not since it will cost money and isn't something they already released 5 years ago that just needs some dusting off.

[Noah @ Mar 21st 2009 2:28PM]

10 dollar disc to enable it. Just fricken beautiful, Nintendo. Turning into greedy bastards you are.

Wouldn't be surprised if they limited the movies to PG either.

[JohnTitor @ Mar 21st 2009 3:01PM]

what does nintendo have to do with any of it, call netflix greedy because they can easily give the DVDs away for free and just feed of the subscription fees

[glenn s @ Mar 21st 2009 3:45PM]

Most likely they can not just give the discs away. Nintendo almost certainly would be charging them a lic. fee for each disc that Netflix would have to recoup.

[Joseph @ Mar 21st 2009 2:44PM]

i have never heard such whining about $10.

Suck it up! It probably covers Nin's licensing fee.

[arcticpenguins @ Mar 21st 2009 2:49PM]

@tyanney

Xbox 180? I was not aware such a creation existed

[Dagreenman18 @ Mar 21st 2009 2:59PM]

I wish there was a streaming only subscription. id be perfect for my 360

[Fred @ Mar 21st 2009 3:11PM]

THE MORE THE MERRIER!!!!! Welcome Wiiners!

[paul @ Mar 21st 2009 4:27PM]

This gives me great hope that the PS3 will get Netflix streaming someday. I always assumed the head of Netflix didn't want to help Microsoft's competitors, but that must not be the case. Yay!

Boo to the disc thing, though.

[Russ Smith @ Mar 21st 2009 5:05PM]

Part of the $10 could go towards codecs for the video. Isn't that what keeps the Wii from playing DVDs? It's capable but Nintendo didn't want to purchase the licenses enable playback.

[Brian Thompson @ Mar 21st 2009 5:23PM]

Unfortunately, netflix streaming still sucks as the selection is weak.

[Fred @ Mar 21st 2009 5:33PM]

There's plenty to watch and it's only gonna get better as we get more hardware that can take advantage of it.

[tom @ Mar 21st 2009 8:11PM]

id buy it, cheaper than another roku. since I already have a wii

[SHopkins @ Mar 21st 2009 10:10PM]

The $10 disc wouldn't bother me much... but I've thought since they announced Netflix on other devices that the easiest way to add the functionality would be a similar disk for Profile 2.0 BluRay players that don't already have Netflix built in.

[GreatFox @ Mar 21st 2009 10:42PM]

I don't understand what everyone is talking about. $10 once is far better than the $50 a year for Xbox Live Gold, or the even higher price per month for the service. This is fantastic news.

[Ignatius @ Mar 22nd 2009 1:51AM]

Obviously you go into Best Buy and pay MSRP for a TV, don't you?

You can buy the 13 month cards for $30 if you pay attention.