Netflix To Stream Movies To PlayStation 3
Posted on: Monday, 26 October 2009, 13:30 CDT
Sony announced it is teaming up with Netflix to allow PlayStation 3 owners to stream the companies online movies through its video game console, much like Xbox 360 owners have been doing for over a year now.
PS3 users in the United States will now be able to instantly stream movies from the Netflix catalog at no extra cost, as long as they are paying Netflix subscribers.
Both Sony and Microsoft are using their consoles to provide content other than just games in order to become the so-called "digital hub" of the living rooms across the country.
Jack Tretton, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment America, said that while gaming is their core DNA, Sony was very confident three years ago when it debuted PlayStation 3 that it was going to be a device that was going to mean much more than gaming.
Netflix access is already available for Xbox 360 owners, but users must pay $50 a year for Xbox Live Gold membership to use the service.
Meanwhile, Netflix does not make its entire catalog available for streaming, but it does offer thousands of movies and TV episodes for instant viewing.
Sony said Netflix would be available on the PS3 in November, but it will first require a Blu-ray disc to access it. Eventually, a software update will make it more widely available.
Sony says there are around 9 million units in the United States, and Netflix has a U.S. subscriber base of 11.1 million.
The PS3 is generating sales momentum following a recent price cut after being only the No. 3 console in the United States for some time.
Industry tracker NPD said that in September the PS3 was the top-selling home console in the United States for the first time, dethroning long-running champion Nintendo.
The PS3's strength has continued into October.
"A lot of consumers were waiting for this price point ... The numbers are extremely good," Tretton said.
"I think we always knew we made a significant investment in the PS3 and we were ahead of the time in terms of technology. But technology that was mystifying to the consumer three years ago is being coveted now."
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Source: RedOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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