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.
I would not say HD is a given. They still don't have HD on Windows 7 Media Center which I would love. Now I am torn. I have a PS3 but am considering an Xbox 360 as a Media Center Extender in the Family because the user experience blows away the PS3 as far as my own media library. Much better than Tversity on a PS3.
seemed like netflix would inevitably make its way to ps3
Roku's still better.
Roku: Uses 5 watts of electricity, completely silent, multiple video/audio channels (not just Netflix).
PS3: Uses 180 watts of electricity, makes noise, plays discs and your own media.
Xbox 360: Uses 160 watts of electricity, makes more noise, plays discs and your own media.
That energy usage will kick your butt if you watch a lot of movies, and sometimes it is nice to watch movies without hearing a fan running (scary movies are better when the room's quiet).
Interesting, though, that they confirmed this. I had the survey question last year (would you like Netflix on a PS3 if you paid $9 for a disc to enable it?) and they never did anything. They asked the question again recently, and this time it's happening.
I was considering a cheap Blu-ray player, but I may have to get a PS3 again if they're going to keep adding features like this. Good on them for doing it.
sweeeeeeeet!
If I live in Asia, can I use the Netflix service? I'm moving over there next year and am trying to decide if I should buy a new slim ps3 here in the US or wait until I get over there.
Interesting... another one year MS exclusive. So, I guess all those rumors about MS and one year exclusives is true.
Netflix... soon (already?) to be on every piece of household equipment you own. Blu-ray players, TVs, 360s, PS3s, Roku. TIVOs, Windows, MAC, Linux, am I missing something besides the Wii? Ahh yes... Cell phones.
I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. How long before the content owners want a little more piece of the action and raise the prices netflix pays.
Netflix looks like an aquisition target to me.
I'm betting MS drops the price of the 360 again this year...175.00 Arcade, 250.00 elite. I love my 360 but the PS3 has some great value to it at 300.00.
Sorry... responded to the wrong post.
As for the Asia question, I'm assuming NetFlix will region lock it. The content owners will make sure of that. I betting that's one of the primary reasons you will need the disc. Sony needs to build in region locking on the console for it to remain on the service. It's already blocked on the 360. You would also need a place to send the physical disc netflix sends out as well.
Yes!!!
Oh wait, I just saw a line on the ps3 blog page that states initially, you will need a netflix disc to put in the ps3 to access the interface... I hope they can eventually phase that out. *crosses fingers*
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! YEAHHH!!!!! OMG OMG OMG I CAN'T F'ING WAIT!!!!!!!!!!! lkfdjb gvdlokfu hl t3lkskteie lzh.rjnjj j vj v jnvnmcvb cnbd!!!!!
Hell yeah this is great news. My roommate has Netflix on his xbox360, and man is it cool. One of the best features that the Xbox had over the PS3, but now that this is coming to PS3, i'm strongly considering opening a Netflix account for my PS3 Fat. I probably won't until someone else isnt already paying for it, but it's such a cool service and this is a HUGE win for Sony
And I JUST BOUGT a Roku box for my living room 3 days ago. I guess It'll go to the bedroom then.
In a way this is bad news for Sony since it will make streaming more popular. As streaming gets more popular physical media get's less (i.e. blu-ray). Microsoft has basically forced Sony's hand in this.
This was a big selling point for 360 where you have to pay like 50 bucks for it every year..
With the same service in PS3 at no extra cost coupled with the free online play,built in blue ray,wireless capabilities and the sony's name for reliability,PS3 is the winner hands down on Xbox 360..It may be still trailing behind Wii though....
With the a above and no-exclusive titles(except Halo),it is a big boooooooo for xbox 360 owners(I happen to be one of them since I own both)
But the Super rich Microsoft isn't goin to stay there...they are goin to bring down the price,probably make xbox live free just to make sure they get to the living room of every house hold....
Very cool, but I am not holding my breath until I see quality.
Streaming on a PC oftin results in less than DVD quality, but the XBox gets some vids in high def. Hopefully we get this treatment as well.
A bit of a bummer for me. I was really hoping the latest rumors were for a release on the Wii, which we presently own. We still have a CRT TV, so we don't have a use for a BD player. If I had a PS3, this would be nice, but there really isn't one compelling reason I can come up with to buy a PS3 in its current state even if we had a HDTV. The Wii is great for the wife's gaming entertainment and whatever I can't play on the Wii, I play on my PC. When we do get a HDTV, we'll look into getting a BD player that does NetFlix, Pandora, and DLNA out of the box for
My question is whether this will allow me (an American military member stationed in Germany) to actually USE the online streaming. So far they only support US IP addresses, and severely overlook a fairly decent amount of their subscribers.