Is Netflix PS3-bound, too?

Rumors of Netflix content streaming to the PS3 date back to, well, the first rumors of it hitting the Xbox 360. We all know which of those two platforms got some red envelope love last year, and now, soon after hearing the service may be heading to the Wii, we have what seems to be similar confirmation that Netflix is at least still considering bringing their bitstream to the PS3. The screenshot above was captured by a reader, showing a message like that on the earlier Wii survey -- in fact it's exactly the same from what we can see. Given our proximity to that least newsy day of the year on April 1st we can't be sure this is entirely genuine, but it probably is time for Sony to make a little room in its XMB for Netflix.

[Thanks, Jake N.]

[allannguyen @ Mar 25th 2009 7:20AM]

this pertains to my interests

[NeoJew @ Mar 25th 2009 7:47AM]

I'd hit that.

[wirelessdeo @ Mar 25th 2009 7:23AM]

I would also be interested in this but only if you did not have to have the disc in the drive. The PS3 has a freaking HD why not let us install it on there? Of corse I cal already watch netflix on my PS3 thanks to PlayOn.....

[Pusta @ Mar 25th 2009 8:01AM]

My guess is Sony will not let them modify the XMB interface directly, or Netflix does not want to pay the licensing fees to do so. I am assuming this helps avoid both scenarios. From what I have read so far, this disc will take advantage of the JVM in the Blu-Ray software.

[Jon Acheson @ Mar 25th 2009 10:50AM]

Agreed. Why wouldn't Sony just make it an app that they sell through the PSN store? Easier, better, and they make money off it.

Unless this is SCEA's way of bypassing the branch of Sony that runs the PSN video store...

[Chird @ Mar 25th 2009 3:22PM]

The reason the disk doesn't make sense is because this is totally fake. There's no reason they would have a disk. They would either have a specific download for it, or include it in a firmware update. Someone just photoshop'd the screencap from the post about the Wii and just swapped everywhere it said Wii for PlayStation 3. And it's actually not a good PSing either, in the line that says "Your Playstation 3 must be connected to the internet" they forgot to line up Playstation 3 vertically with the other text...it's bumped down like 2 or 3 pixels...

Ruling on the field: FAKE!!!!!!

Though I kinda doubt it has to do with April Fool's...prolly just a douche with too much time on his hands...

[chefgon_ign @ Mar 25th 2009 7:25AM]

disc = fail

[scaught @ Mar 25th 2009 7:37AM]

I have a bigger problem with the 9.99. You don't need to pay a fee for other Netflix enable devices.

[Nuno A. @ Mar 25th 2009 8:41AM]

I agree, why do we need a disc? Is it just an install disc, or do we have to put it in every time we want to watch a movie?

[Harry @ Mar 25th 2009 1:16PM]

Kinda strange, I filled out the survey yesterday and for me it said the disc might cost $2.99. Here's the screenshot that I took at the time

http://is.gd/oVc0

$2.99 is a world of difference from $9.99, huh? Looks like they're getting a feel for what people are willing to pay.

[Student Driver @ Mar 25th 2009 1:32PM]

Ditto. I would rather use my PS3 because it's a helluva lot quieter than my 360. The idea of requiring a disc that you pay for is lame.

[HotBBQ @ Mar 25th 2009 7:52AM]

The $9.99 sucks, but hell, people are buying virtual houses on Playstation Home for that kind of money.

[arkweld @ Mar 25th 2009 7:57AM]

I did the Netflix monthly survey yesterday and that question was not in it.

I say, fake.

[msingletary @ Mar 25th 2009 7:57AM]

I think that requiring a disk (that you have to pay for, even) makes this service substantially less useful or convenient than streaming on any other device, notably the Xbox 360. I didn't have to buy anything or insert anything into my Xbox to be able to stream from it, and I sure as hell wouldn't want to have to keep a Netflix disc on hand to put in when I want to stream movies.

How old school is that? Why can't I just download it from the Playstation Store? I can download full copies of other disc-based games like Warhawk and Burnout Paradise, but I can't download a stupid streaming application? I'll definitely pass and keep using the streaming on my 360 if I have to pay for it and keep a disc inserted in my PS3 to use it.

[David @ Mar 25th 2009 8:29AM]

Yes, but on PS3, it would be a one-time fee of $9.99, on XBOX360 you're required to have a gold membership which is $39.99 for 13 months.

[msingletary @ Mar 25th 2009 8:45AM]

Yes, but since I'm already an Xbox Live subscriber I receive the service for free. I have no plans to ever cancel this service and so it is theoretically included for free. I would *happily* pay for access to the Playstation Network if it meant a more robust and easier to use online service... especially if it included services like this for free.

Honestly, the disc itself is more of an annoyance for me than the cost is. I'd probably pay $10 to get Netflix streaming if I could just download the application through the Playstation Store.

[Phoenix @ Mar 25th 2009 9:42AM]

Not really getting the service for free, since you need to pay for xbox live gold, AND the netflix membership.
Not exactly free now is it?

[Pepsipoint @ Mar 25th 2009 10:09AM]

well let's continue this assine train of thought . Well it's not really free is it? you paid for an xbox 360?? well it's not really free you pay your internet provider for bandwidth...etc etc etc. stop being a super sony fan for five minutes and get the gist of what he's saying..

[inteller @ Mar 25th 2009 8:19AM]

REALLY stupid that you have to use a disc on the Wii and PS3. I guess Sony and Nintendo must be asses about letting Netflix provide a downloadable app. Microsoft FTW!

[cmil1212 @ Mar 25th 2009 8:30AM]

If i can't see it in HD, then its worthless to me.

BTW..its so simple to hook up a computer to a hdtv and Denon receiver. Harmony remote makes it easy to switch to it. BT logitech keyboard and mouse lay on a shelf near the couch.

[StevenBlunt @ Mar 25th 2009 8:45AM]

The reason why a disk is required is because Sony is out of the loop with this one. I assume Netflix is sending you a disk with the software that will install on the harddrive, because Sony will not allow the software on the Playstation Store. Sony doesn't want NetFlix to take a bite out Sony's franchised movie rentals, but can't prevent Netflix from sending you a disk that takes advantage of the system capabilities. Microsoft was on board with Netflix and included it in their updates.

[Rufo Sanchez @ Mar 25th 2009 8:53AM]

Doesn't Microsoft have an exclusive license for Netflix on a console? (Timed, I'm sure, but still...)

I wouldn't be surprised if the disc they keep referring to is a way around their deal with Microsoft.

[PeteCE @ Mar 25th 2009 9:01AM]

Fake. Why would you need a Netflix Instant Streaming Disc? That makes absolutely no sense. It DOES make sense if you've taken the Wii email and photoshopped it to say PS3, however. Fake fake fake.

[Miguel @ Mar 25th 2009 11:15AM]

I think you're right Pete. Seems fake. And should PlayStation 3 be PLAYSTATION 3?

[htowngator @ Mar 25th 2009 9:08AM]

Why would I pay per month for that? I already use PlayOn and get it for free on my ps3.

[Paul @ Mar 25th 2009 9:19AM]

no one is asking you to pay for it monthly. it'd be a one time fee. idunno personally I wouldn't mind an official service so I could turn my PC off but the PlayOn feature is so good because it splits up your queue into genres. not even the netflix site does that!

[alessar @ Mar 25th 2009 9:13AM]

I'd probably do it. $10 one time is no big deal. The thing is, I don't see a lot of things I'd want to stream on Netflix, but I see some. I'd be more interested in steaming to my PS3 hooked up to the big tv with a couch in it than to my desktop PC.

[elBravo @ Mar 25th 2009 9:29AM]

If this had some advantage over PlayOn, I might do it. $10 for pause/ff/rrw/goto/bookmarks seems like it might be worth it.

[Carl Kat @ Mar 25th 2009 9:32AM]

I don't like the idea of the disc or for paying, but if that's what it takes to get it on the PS3, then so be it. The quality will be far superior to the Wii streaming (if they open up HD streaming as well...) I'd much rather stream from the PS3 that I already have connected to my Stereo/TV than have to buy a whole HTPC (or a Roku) to stream... For now, I've been using my laptop w/o a remote. Not as convenient, but it works...

[Bizam! @ Mar 25th 2009 9:49AM]

I'm very unlikely to "ir of $9.99)" in order to instantly watch movies & TV episodes on my TV

[David Kearns @ Mar 25th 2009 9:56AM]

I already get Netflix on my TiVo, what I really want is Hulu on my PS3...

[PeteCE @ Mar 25th 2009 10:01AM]

Or also on our TiVo's - either device really. Memo to Hulu: Get on board.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Mar 25th 2009 11:19AM]

I just opened the PS3 browser, pressed start and typed 'http://hulu.com/'. It even works full screen. However the frame rate does seem low.

[Mark @ Mar 25th 2009 11:48AM]

www.getplayon.com

[ymmotgt1 @ Mar 25th 2009 10:13AM]

I would happily pay the ten bucks. Like other comments disc=fail.

[alieno @ Mar 25th 2009 10:26AM]

That's fantastic! Yet another service we won't be able to access in Europe! Can't wait.

[Alphathon @ Mar 25th 2009 1:59PM]

Exactly! Wouldn't be so bad if we had some kind of equivalent service, but we don't. Oh well, at least it'll help to level the playing field between the PS3 and 360 (if only in the US, but as nowhere else gets netflix on the 360 either, it doesn't really matter.) At least we get PlayTV.

[WILLIAM @ Mar 25th 2009 11:09AM]

i tried the netflix streaming VIA my xbox 360 and have to say it sucked the look of the pic was not good at all and my connection was fast. dont even waste your time with netflix they are only good for renting movies .. or what you can do is download all your movies on to your computer and watch them via your xbox .

[Miguel @ Mar 25th 2009 11:13AM]

I'm in if they,

1. Don't charge for a stupid disc.
2. Don't require the stupid disc.
3. Offer streaming only plans, (I used their mail service once and the service was horrible)
4. It's HD.

But as it stands in that letter I would select "Very Unlikely"

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Mar 25th 2009 11:23AM]

As long as the selection of movies stinks as much as it does, I just can't really care how many ways I have to stream the content.

[getupkid2004 @ Mar 25th 2009 11:50AM]

where does it say that you don't have to pay for a monthly fee? As i interpret it it says 9.99 for the disc but at the top it says "included with your netflix membership" doesn't that mean monthly fee?

[Tyler Nichols @ Mar 25th 2009 12:09PM]

Microsoft own any movie studios that could pull all of their titles from streaming a few days after release?

[Shank @ Mar 25th 2009 12:24PM]

who cares, why would i wanna watch streaming low qual video n audio. when i can rent blu ray,watch on my ps3,,on my 52" sony 1080p 120 hz thru my sony 7.1 surround sound . there is a reason y i paid for 1080p sony,high quality audio n video. I would be lowering my standards by going down to streaming online vid.,.,its so overrated,plus if i want to watch a bluray on media tuesday relase date. id rather watch it that day,instead of waiting 2-5 weeks till hopefully it might show up low quald on netflix..now if i was in prison n broke i would choose netflix, but since im a free man ill stick w/bluray rentals on sony 1080p highest quality humanly possible.agreee??

[paul @ Mar 25th 2009 12:44PM]

I agree that using a disc is ridiculous. This is supposed to be a state of the art system. Sony needs to pull their heads out of their butts.

[slarity @ Mar 25th 2009 12:45PM]

PLEASE!!! I'd pay $20 or $30, so definitly $10!!!

[nxp3 @ Mar 25th 2009 12:48PM]

As a ps3 owner, I will not pay for standard definition. That's just rediculous if you expect us to go back. Not to mention that you are making it hard to stream movies by requiring us to put in a DVD? Hell no, I can get standard video streaming for free already from my computer, why would I need netflix for that. If this was Redbox...1 dollar rental then maybe I'd give it a shot, but not at netflix prices. Try again netflix. Heck I haven't even watch one single movies or tv sold over the PSN why would I start paying for it now just because it's netflix.

[Ed @ Mar 25th 2009 1:15PM]

that would suck for MS. Netflix streaming exclusivity is a big win for them.

[nathan.wong @ Mar 25th 2009 1:28PM]

Right on! I can't wait. It's one of the best features on the xbox 360 but that's at another house. The PS3 would make it the best of both worlds for me.

[Jon Graft @ Mar 25th 2009 3:20PM]

I'm predicting someone got the email about the Wii version, saved the HTML file, and just changed it to say Playstation 3...screen captured it, and sent it to Engadget.
No way in hell the PS3 is going to have to have a disc in to run Netflix...

[arkweld @ Mar 25th 2009 3:48PM]

as I said before. This is bullshit.

Engadget find just one other person who did the Netflix survey this month and saw this question. They have 10 million members so surely someone in the office knows somebody. They might even have the survey still in their inbox waiting to be completed.

This question wasn't there.