Sorry, conspiracy theorists. It seems a big film company actually does want you to watch its wares, regardless of your platform of choice. Well, as long as it's not a telephone. Get real!
Sony Pictures: Netflix issues 'not specific to Xbox'
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
on Nov 20th 2008 11:49AM
92
Sorry, conspiracy theorists. It seems a big film company actually does want you to watch its wares, regardless of your platform of choice. Well, as long as it's not a telephone. Get real!
Reader Comments (92)
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 4:14PM spin cycle said
So what if Sony pulled it on that day on purpose? They couldn't pull it if Netflix had a contract in place, so clearly Netflix didn't execute on their business very well.
As I said, this happens all the time.
Here's an example.
http://dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=141001
In the end, it's Netflix. Columbia is under no obligation to offer their service if they don't have a contract with Netflix. Since Netflix' business seems to depend somewhat on having this contract (as evidenced by the bitching over it), it behooved them to settle up and get a contract in place.
For them to not do so makes it as much their fault as Sony's.
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As I said, this happens all the time.
Here's an example.
http://dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=141001
In the end, it's Netflix. Columbia is under no obligation to offer their service if they don't have a contract with Netflix. Since Netflix' business seems to depend somewhat on having this contract (as evidenced by the bitching over it), it behooved them to settle up and get a contract in place.
For them to not do so makes it as much their fault as Sony's.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 4:22PM whatthegeek said
why not the LS2LS7?,
I'm not saying it's never happened before, I'm just saying it's a dick move on Sony's part. Dick moves happen in the business world every day, and the entertainment industry is no exception. I suspect Sony is exploiting a contractual loop hole, and that's a dick move. I'm not saying it's not standard business practice - just a dick move.
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I'm not saying it's never happened before, I'm just saying it's a dick move on Sony's part. Dick moves happen in the business world every day, and the entertainment industry is no exception. I suspect Sony is exploiting a contractual loop hole, and that's a dick move. I'm not saying it's not standard business practice - just a dick move.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 12:17PM Vcize said
Ok, so they SAY the issue isn't specific to the 360, but out there in the real world isn't it actually specific to that? Like, don't those same movies stream fine on a PC? I don't have netflix, so I'm asking, but I thought I recalled hearing that those movies still stream fine on every netflix streaming device not named "xbox 360".
Or are they just saying that they have licensing issues with putting their stuff on videogame consoles, and the 360 happens to be the online videogame console streaming stuff right now?
Or are they just saying that they have licensing issues with putting their stuff on videogame consoles, and the 360 happens to be the online videogame console streaming stuff right now?
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 12:21PM (Unverified) said
Why don't we all just forget about this netflix hoo hah and go play some Gears, Mkay?
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 12:27PM (Unverified) said
I get to play video games at work...but no internet.
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Posted: Nov 20th 2008 12:35PM (Unverified) said
Umm..remember when Sony didn't release their movies on HD DVD? Yeah they have the right not to release on a competitors platform. Bitch all you want. If you don't like it wait till Netflix on the PS3 becomes available.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 1:43PM Vcize said
And Microsoft has the "right" to make Windows incompatible with Sony computers, and make the Xbox 360 not work on Sony TVs. And Sony has the "right" to make their DVDs only work on Sony DVD/Blu-ray players, and not on players made by Samsung/Toshiba/Phillips, etc.
Is that the path you really want to go down?
Reply
Is that the path you really want to go down?
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 1:54PM spin cycle said
Vcize:
New DLC for GTA IV finally announced.
Xbox only.
Is that the path you want to go down?
Reply
New DLC for GTA IV finally announced.
Xbox only.
Is that the path you want to go down?
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 2:06PM (Unverified) said
Its whatever is in the best interest of the company. Obviously if Sony is doing it they realize that the gain far outweighs the loss. When bluray exclusively released all sony films it certainly helped them. Microsoft can go ahead and not put windows on Sony computers...something tells me that won't do them any good. Its all just business.
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Posted: Nov 20th 2008 12:43PM Cybernetic said
Sony statement is false. Superbad is a Sony Pictures film that is not available for streaming on Xbox 360. It is however available for streaming from Netflix on a PC and through PlayOn - I watched the movie, streaming from Netflix, last week.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 12:50PM Spunky Monkey 190906 said
Urm...thats because Netflix have a license agreement to put it on PC and PlayOn :S
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Posted: Nov 20th 2008 12:43PM Spunky Monkey 190906 said
Why is it people are under the impression that because SCE is in direct rivalry with Micro that the whole of Sony is? SOE, Sony Movies, Sony Mobiles etc all run under the same brand name, but have thier own competition to worry about, not all of them is as concerned with Micro as SCE is. Thus the reason Sony music is on Xbox and not yet on PSN, thus the reason SCE has to clarrify and get confirmation from Sony Movies before they can put 'Sony' related movies on PSN.
Just because everyone is in the same house doesn't mean they share the same room. Get what I mean? Microsoft functions exactly the same, its how businesses run. If all Sony industries shared the same viewpoint we would have had PSPhone yonks ago, Bravia Televisions with built in PS3s and PSN with the ability to watch Sony movies exclusivly months before they released on DVD, and god knows what else.
Just because everyone is in the same house doesn't mean they share the same room. Get what I mean? Microsoft functions exactly the same, its how businesses run. If all Sony industries shared the same viewpoint we would have had PSPhone yonks ago, Bravia Televisions with built in PS3s and PSN with the ability to watch Sony movies exclusivly months before they released on DVD, and god knows what else.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 12:45PM Mr Khan said
Makes more sense, anyway. There has never been animosity between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Microsoft, just between Sony Computer Entertainment and Microsoft
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 12:51PM baby sea tuna said
While this is an irritation, I guess in the long term I don't really care. I've long since moved past the "Holy shit I need to watch _________(insert movie title here) right now!" phase of my life. That is to say, I've currently got far more media to listen, watch, or play than I've got hours in the days, months, or years to come.
Work it out, or don't, it's not like they're stopping Netflix from mailing me the disc.
Work it out, or don't, it's not like they're stopping Netflix from mailing me the disc.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 1:04PM baby sea tuna said
www.netflix.com/activate
then type in the code that XBL gives you when you first click on the Netflix icon.
Reply
then type in the code that XBL gives you when you first click on the Netflix icon.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 12:59PM Cybernetic said
Exactly ... the point being that license was withheld from Xbox 360. The license doesn't dictate that movies can be streamed or not, but rather to what devices or not.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 12:59PM Spunky Monkey 190906 said
Well I think everyone knows its based on which devices are part of that license agreement, which is why this issue occured in the first place, however, unlike PC which I'm guessing was the first to be in that License then PlayOn, Micro isn't on that license, one or the other should have got into contact with Sony to confirm the issue before it occured so that problems would not arise now.
And its not as if it is permanent, all they need to do is get the license, thats not a biggie is it?
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And its not as if it is permanent, all they need to do is get the license, thats not a biggie is it?
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 1:05PM Cybernetic said
Perhaps it's Joystiq's fault for the misleading title, as it implies there are other devices that cannot stream Sony Pictures films via Netflix. That is is not the case, as the Xbox 360 is the only device that cannot. I haven't used PlayOn on Xbox 360, so I'm not sure if PlayOn license for Sony Pictures extends to 360 or not.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 3:51PM Ordeith said
PlayOn does not have a license. They use the PC license and redirect the stream. As such Netflix could break support for PlayOn at any point in the future with their PC streamer.
If the PC streamer goes Silverlight in the future as is rumored, that right there could break the PlayOn functions.
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If the PC streamer goes Silverlight in the future as is rumored, that right there could break the PlayOn functions.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 1:05PM Tez said
Wow, and the trolls keep insisting it's a conspiracy theory. Pretty sad.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 1:53PM (Unverified) said
And the Sony fanboys keep trying to spin doctor it.
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Posted: Nov 20th 2008 1:44PM GenGrievous said
It was fun to see all those xbox 360 fanboys with their panties in a twist. I had a few good laughs. Don't worry though you'll be able to watch the movies from "the dark side" again, unless you want to boycot them haha.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 1:46PM (Unverified) said
Business is business. This is a good business move and anyone who thinks Microsoft wouldn't have done the same needs to wake up. This is as laughable as the PS3 owners crying that Rockstar betrayed them by giving Xbox exclusive DLC.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 1:51PM (Unverified) said
This is the same shit that happened with the scandal over at game sport with the Kain and Lynch review and Ubisoft pulling their ads from GS.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 1:54PM (Unverified) said
does anyone actually believe this BS?
If it were not to just poke at xbox then why did it happen on NXE launch day, I was watching Columbia films the day before the official launch with no trouble. Also, why is it available EVERYWHERE ELSE still! It specifically rules out the 360. I could understand if they didnt allow it on the other netflix boxes that let you watch on the TV but just the 360? How stupid do they think we are?
If it were not to just poke at xbox then why did it happen on NXE launch day, I was watching Columbia films the day before the official launch with no trouble. Also, why is it available EVERYWHERE ELSE still! It specifically rules out the 360. I could understand if they didnt allow it on the other netflix boxes that let you watch on the TV but just the 360? How stupid do they think we are?
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 2:42PM TechGuySteve said
I call Bullshit
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 4:41PM Starcade said
It's funny that an issue not specific to the Xbox, has a very specifically worded, "Not available on Xbox" on the Netflix website just as the feature became widely available. It's also interesting that this didn't seem to happen with other non-Sony owned studio content. And this same content that's not available for streaming on the Xbox is available for streaming in general.
I very much believe that Sony did this specifically to affect the Xbox, and is now attempting to spin what happened to make it look as if it wasn't purposely done.
I very much believe that Sony did this specifically to affect the Xbox, and is now attempting to spin what happened to make it look as if it wasn't purposely done.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 4:42PM (Unverified) said
The PSN store has no(that I know of)HD movies for purchase- only for rent. Steeply-priced too. The NXE coincided with Netflix HD streaming.
I can't believe nobody is seeing the correlation here. Sony wants us to buy their HD flicks on BD, not digital copies(for now). This is another way people can sidestep BD, so of course they want to make sure they're getting the juiciest cut of that deal possible before allowing it.
Just taking care of themselves in my opinion. Don't see this as an xbox-centric issue at all. Now, had the Roku and other devices also gotten HD streaming with the launch of NXE and had no issues with Sony's films, THEN I would see something awry.
I can't believe nobody is seeing the correlation here. Sony wants us to buy their HD flicks on BD, not digital copies(for now). This is another way people can sidestep BD, so of course they want to make sure they're getting the juiciest cut of that deal possible before allowing it.
Just taking care of themselves in my opinion. Don't see this as an xbox-centric issue at all. Now, had the Roku and other devices also gotten HD streaming with the launch of NXE and had no issues with Sony's films, THEN I would see something awry.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 4:51PM Misfit Toy said
The selection is a little weak. 12000 of who knows how many movies. Its quite random too. Hardly anything NEW. That's what I want. NEW MOVIES!
Let's build up that selection there NetFlix, if you want my subscription. Otherwise the 2 week trial will be good enough for me for now.
Let's build up that selection there NetFlix, if you want my subscription. Otherwise the 2 week trial will be good enough for me for now.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 6:34PM (Unverified) said
They still better get this straightened out soon. Happy to hear though its licensing so it won't be something permanent and will hopefully be fixed soon.
Posted: Nov 20th 2008 8:56PM (Unverified) said
FUCK sony
Posted: Nov 21st 2008 1:07AM (Unverified) said
This is a flat out lie. I have both the xbox and the roku box. Many of these movies are in fact blocked to the xbox and still are available via the roku player. If what they said was the case, they would not show up for any viewing.
Posted: Nov 21st 2008 4:24AM spin cycle said
They're also available for streaming to PCs (in SD).
There are no other HD streaming device for Netflix. How can you say it isn't all HD streaming devices that were affected?
You're just making assumptions that follow what you already want to believe, which is Sony screwed Xbox owners specifically. You don't know the contracts, you don't know what happened. How can you really add anything useful beyond what the people who do know at Sony and Netflix have stated?
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There are no other HD streaming device for Netflix. How can you say it isn't all HD streaming devices that were affected?
You're just making assumptions that follow what you already want to believe, which is Sony screwed Xbox owners specifically. You don't know the contracts, you don't know what happened. How can you really add anything useful beyond what the people who do know at Sony and Netflix have stated?
Posted: Nov 21st 2008 5:47PM (Unverified) said
Because I know how the industry is turning. Look at the Roku box. Sure it doesnt have HD YET but will by the end of the year. The industry has already pretty much eliminated HD over component. Well, you can get 480p but thats it. The industry does not want anyone to be able to "copy" their movies so they restrict anything above 480p being played over component. Sony is one of the major pushes for HDMI and DRM restrictions. I am not saying they screwed xbox owners on purpose. I said they Lied. They would have done it to anyone whose device couldn't use the DRM in HDMI.
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Posted: Nov 21st 2008 7:58AM breaklaw said
Lying bastards.
Posted: Nov 21st 2008 11:03AM (Unverified) said
Personally I can't stand watching movies on the 360 anyway. The remote is garish and during the quiet scenes the noise from the fan always gets on my nerves.
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