Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3
posted October 26th 2009 12:11AM
Update: Turns out a disc will be required for streaming, and that's the only solution available until a PS3 software update sometime in late 2010.
[Via PlayStation blog]
COMING SOON: NETFLIX MEMBERS CAN INSTANTLY WATCH MOVIES AND TV EPISODES STREAMED TO TVs VIA THE PLAYSTATION®3 COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
With Movies Streamed Instantly from Netflix, Blu-ray/DVD Playback and Downloadable Videos via the PlayStation®Network, the PlayStation 3 System Offers The Industry's Most Comprehensive Options for Watching Movies and TV Shows
FOSTER CITY and LOS GATOS, Calif., October 26, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) and Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] today announced that they are joining forces to make thousands of movies and TV episodes from Netflix available to be streamed instantly to TVs via the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. Netflix expects to begin streaming via the PS3 system next month at no additional cost to Netflix members in the United States who have a PS3 system.
Today's announcement pairs two of the most popular and fastest growing home entertainment brands in the U.S. The PS3 system's installed base has reached close to 9 million units in the United States, and Netflix recently reported 11.1 million U.S. subscribers as of September 30.
The partnership further solidifies the PS3 system as the most complete home entertainment hub on the market today, enabling consumers to play high-definition games, watch Blu-ray movies, listen to music, view photos, browse the Internet, and download content from PlayStation®Network − from exclusive games to blockbuster movies and popular TV shows. PS3 system owners will soon enjoy an unparalleled experience watching their favorite movies and TV shows streamed instantly from Netflix, downloading from the PlayStation Network or watching Blu-ray/DVD media. The Netflix offering expands on the entertainment experience delivered to PS3 system owners via PlayStation Network.
For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers via Netflix ready devices such as the PS3 system and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes.
"The PlayStation 3 system has always been about more than just gaming, and it will soon be the only platform in the industry to offer consumers such a variety of convenient options for enjoying movies and TV shows," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. "Whether you want to watch content on Blu-ray disc and DVD, download it from the PlayStation Network's video delivery service, or stream videos instantly from Netflix, the PS3 system is the only solution that offers it all."
"As instantly watching movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix becomes an increasingly popular way to enjoy the Netflix service, our goal is to rapidly expand the devices that stream to our members," said Netflix CEO and co-founder Reed Hastings. "As a leading game console and Blu-ray disc player, bringing Netflix to the PS3 system is a real win for both Netflix members and PS3 system owners."
Initially, watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system will be enabled by a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc that is being made available to all Netflix members. The free instant streaming disc leverages Blu-ray's BD-Live™ technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, which must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Netflix members simply slide the disc into their PS3 systems to reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. These titles are conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members' personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members' individual instant Queues. Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues. With the PS3 system's Wireless Controller, members can choose a movie to watch from their instant Queues or just play directly from any of the lists. They also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream via the Wireless Controller.
Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now reserve a free instant streaming disc for PS3 systems by going to www.netflix.com/ps3. Upon availability, the instant streaming disc will be delivered for free by first-class mail, generally one business day after members request it.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game consoles, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its digital services which include the PlayStation®Network and the PlayStation®Store.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one® game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, and the PlayStation 3 and PSP systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
About Netflix, Inc.
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is the world's largest online movie rental service, with more than more than 11 million subscribers. For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes. There are never any due dates or late fees. Netflix members can exchange DVDs as often as they want using a postage-paid return envelope. Members can choose from a vast selection of DVD titles and a growing library of movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. Netflix is partnering with leaders in consumer electronics to bring to market a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to members' TVs. These devices currently include Blu-ray disc players and new Internet TVs from LG Electronics; Blu-ray disc players from Samsung and Best Buy's Insignia brand; the Roku digital video player; Microsoft's Xbox 360 game console; TiVo digital video recorders; and, soon, the PS3 system and Internet TVs from Sony and VIZIO.
Cool
Blockbuster, eat your heart out.
Halledamnlujah
Give me more dexter. YESSSSS.
... and you don't need to pay for XBL Gold membership to use it.
very cool !
At Monkey Fetish - I suspect that XBL account requirement will be dropped in say... The next 30 days. Then again you can't even download some demos with a Silver account so who knows.
The next time you see Reggie Fils Aime, ask him why the Wii isn't getting deals like these? why do they have to be so stubborn to convergence?
Total Sidenote: That Reggie douche has totally turned me off from Nintendo and it's products.
On topic: Sweet!
I hope sony gets the idea and starts releasing website applets like microsoft is doing.
Only makes sense for it to have it, since it is also a media powerhouse.
For sure. I'm pleasantly surprised Netflix was not put under MS's thumb by agreeing to integrate with the 360 first.
slowly, the PS3 is becoming a decent purchase in my mind....
i agree... back in the day not so much. but now its slimmer, cheaper, and its a ps3.
@Lazy Genius: I still don't think the Slim makes it much smaller. It's still pretty big in my eyes, specially compared to the Wii.
But I agree regardless.
@ Mega-Japan
Agreed. The Wii is still smaller, much smaller. But it is no media player with the power that the PS3 has. And it doesnt have the HUGE power brick that the 360 has. I couldn't believe my friend's when I saw it, almost the size of the system!!
they took out linux support (which isn't something I use my ps3 for regardless, but still), put a slower blu-ray drive in it, and bumped the hard drive up by a large chunk... so I guess it's a mixed bag for some, but at 300 bucks with netflix and being slimmer (without all the fingerprints showing too) it's a pretty damn decent deal. thinking of replacing our 40gig ps3 with one of these when we can.
I think I am going to get a psp go so I can stream netflix to my psp via a wifi connection to my ps3... that sounds amazing actually.
@Prokanda: The Blu-ray drive in the new PS3 Slim is faster, not slower, than the previous generation PS3. The only reason some people thought it was slower at first was due to there being an increased loading time before a disc would begin playing, but that was actually just a bug that was fixed in a firmware update.
Decent? I am really having trouble finding reasons to use my 360 anymore (I don't like paying for free services i.e. Xbox Live, so I do my multi platform purchases on either PS3 or PC).
Actually I meant to say "just decent?" :P
Haha, I got downranked, first time in a long time, even though I agreed with the highest ranked xD.
I love this community :P.
PS3 FTW
I said "pretty damn decent"... because there's no linux support now (which is a bummer for some), no backwards compatibility, and I *thought* there was a slower drive in this one (my mistake). I didn't think that was worth a down-ranking though >.> couldn't be by fanboys, I own a ps3 and do enjoy it, so, what gives? =(
finally..
This is a very welcome addition
Dang, I gave up on Netflix coming to the PS3 and bought a 360. Oh well, I wanted one anyway.
Wonder if the only fee associated will be for Netflix. Not like the Xbox 360, where you have to have live. I wish Xbox 360 made Netflix accessible without paying for live.
You have to pay a one time $10 fee for the disk, and put it in every time you wanna use netflix.
@Mjayhunt
I know that was reported, but it says nothing of a disc on Netflix's website, as far as I can tell.
Guys, read the press release:
"Netflix expects to begin streaming via the PS3 system next month at no additional cost to Netflix members in the United States who have a PS3 system."
"Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now reserve a free instant streaming disc for PS3 systems by going to www.netflix.com/ps3. Upon availability, the instant streaming disc will be delivered for free by first-class mail, generally one business day after members request it."
So if you have Netflix and a PS3, it's free.
Ya. reading helps.
On the same note, this being no additional cost on the PS3 puts MS in an interesting position. Will Netflix now be offered to the free Silver membership now...?
Hmm, if you go to Netflix.com, you need to reserve the steaming disc for PS3 (which is free). I guess having to choose between the two since I only get one disc at a time (which means one active machine at a time), I'll stick with 360 for now since I don't need to put anything in the system.
Most people that don't have gold don't even have it hooked up to the internet. Then again, if they could actually do something I suppose they might have a reason to. Microsoft should sell a $150 lifetime xbl gold subscription, which I would actually consider getting, if you could transfer it when you buy a new xbox at least (my 360 is roaring like a jet this week).
The fact that it's being delivered on a disc indicates that this is possibly a netflix-developed app (rather than one made by Sony), so it'll have little to do with Sony's services.
Even if Sony aren't going to out this in an OS update, they should make it available through the PSN, as many games are.
No the disk is free. And they overnight it to you the day it's available next month. I went to Netflix and clicked yes just a minute ago to confirm it. PS3 wins.
With a 360, PS3, and Windows 7 Ultimate crap I can watch Netflix everywhere... now if they'd just get MORE ON INSTANT!
7.1 (or 5.1 would be fine) surround sound would interest me more than a greater selection!
@Mjayhunt You can't hear what you can't see. More selection all the way!
The selection of movies on Netflix streaming still makes this a solid "don't care" to me.
And before you think I'm hating because I'm jealous, I've had Netflix on my computer connected to my TV and my 360 connected to my TV for months.
It's just not very compelling.
If the studios would change their ways and allow newer movies on this system I might get more interested.
The streaming library definitely needs improvement, but every once in a while I see a movie on there I want to watch, and it's a hell of a lot more convenient than waiting a couple days for the dvd. I really can't complain because I pay what, $10 a month, and that gets me unlimited blu-rays and dvds. The movies that are available for streaming are just icing on the cake.
Just to give an example, of the 5 discs shown on that screen in this promotional picture, only 4 are available for streaming. 28 Days is not available. Also, on the right, Desperate Housewives Season 5 is available. Season 4 is also available. But Seasons 1-3 are available on DVD but not for streaming.
And there are 3 seasons of Dexter available on disc. Only two (including the one shown) are available for streaming.
And you guys do realize that the streaming content is constantly changing? New ones are constantly being introduced while other titles are being removed? It is possible that these were available at one time or will be in the future.
Oh yea this freaking rocks being waiting for this for eva! sony you rock for making this happen
That really makes the PS3 a powerful media machine. Blu ray alone was pretty sweet, but now netflix. It's the best of physical media and digital distribution.
Well, time to add two more PS3's to my house...
Two more? As in a total of three? I'm putting myself up for adoption
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh1jB4hVJRg
Why not two 100 dollar Roku boxes?