Rumorang: Survey suggests Netflix streaming on Wii
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jun 23rd 2009 at 10:05PM } 
We contacted both Nintendo and Netflix for comment. The House of Mario had nothing to say on the matter. A Netflix spokesperson informed us, "Netflix is always looking for ways to expand its service, but for now our game platform is the Xbox 360."
We'll say exactly what we said last time: This survey in no way validates that Netflix support is confirmed for the Wii, but it wouldn't be the least bit shocking that the service would want to tap into the Wii's "particular" demographic.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Markez @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:11PM
Spendy or not, whether this even happens or not, I think NFLX is a going to be a good keeper for awhile.
Adv2k1 @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:13PM
What Nintendo making a channel that American consumers would enjoy and like and has no benefits to Japan, that's crazy talk. Everyone knows Nintendo 1st priority is Japan and Netflix isn't really a Japanese company so this is all crazy talk.
Ben @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:09PM
Pretty sure it would be Netflix making the "channel", not Nintendo. It wouldn't be a channel either as the description specifically says "disc", if it were just a channel, it would most likely be downloadable (although Mario Kart and WiiFit have channels that get loaded from their discs).
Also, I'm pretty sure this is a Netflix survey, not a Nintendo survey.
nukee @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:16PM
This is pretty simple and I'd love to see it come to the PS3. That being said, getting Sony to hop onboard when they've got their own video system would be a bitch.
DangerMouse @ Jun 24th 2009 12:12AM
I would too, but chances of that happening are probably rather slim. I have no intention of "renting" or buying a movie on the PS3 with their annoying policies and unimpressive pricing strategy. And this is just a small part of it. They're really lagging behind this gen in other aspects while their competitors are bringing new and interesting options to the table.
Ozzman_79 @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:23PM
I'm not sure how much your average "Wii Fit-using soccor mom" or "Wii Sports playing Senior in the care home" would use this service. And all the "hardcore" gamers probably already use it in HD on their 360. I smell a flop.
dimethios @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:11PM
Are you kidding? Family dvd rentals are through the roof. I know, we have 4 kids. I am a hardcore gamer, for that I use my PC. But my wife the soccer mom is not. Either way we watch a ton of videos and we have Netflix, this would kick ass! I wouldn't have to buy any more equiptment to stream it to the TV.
Vidikron @ Jun 24th 2009 2:44AM
Yeah, you act like core gamers are the only people that like movies. That's a bit insane. No HD streams, as you mentioned, but that won't likely be a huge deal to most of the Wii demographic.
KaBob799 @ Jun 24th 2009 5:14AM
Yeah just you wait, now were gonna see casual movies for all those soccer moms. Oh wait...
Ozzman_79 @ Jun 24th 2009 9:31AM
Y'all really think that many soccor moms and seniors have their Wiis setup to an internet connection, would take the time to install the channel/disc/whatever, and learn the interface? I guess I don't give the average consumer much credit for stuff like that. I don't deny that streaming movies would be a great feature to a lot of people (not me personally, but for many others), but I don't think the average "casual" user would understand and/or go through the process to get it setup.......unless they know someone that will do it for them, which I assume most of them probably do.
Girugamuk (Moptimus Slimed) @ Jun 24th 2009 1:12PM
yeah, casual gamers dont understand this new fangled "Interweb" or these fancy pants "Compact Discs".
Yan @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:28PM
My non-gaming parents would finally find the Wii's position in the living room justified if Netflix ends up on this current generation console. Gamers they may not be, movie-goers are a whole 'nother story.
OMGOMG @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:37PM
If this is Nintendo's answer to the lack of DVD support, then wow.
SoshiKitai @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:40PM
I think this is Nintendo's answer to a lack of Netflix support. :P
.....and are people STILL complaining about the Wii not playin' DVDs? ... seriously? Does no one have a DVD player anymore?
Mr Khan @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:49PM
Nintendo certainly doesn't seem to need it
CH3BURASHKA @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:53PM
Agreed; at least it's better than a DVD-playing peripheral or some crap.
GordoJones @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:50PM
It's just a survey. It doesn't mean it's happening. They could make surveys asking if people would be interested in a porn channel on their Wii.
Yes, I know, the Wii Wii channel.
uncle jesse @ Jun 24th 2009 10:11AM
There isn't a porn channel?
The what the hell is 'motion plus'?!
Girugamuk (Moptimus Slimed) @ Jun 24th 2009 1:15PM
THEN WHO WAS PHONE?
Mr Khan @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:51PM
Could go over quite well, so long as it is properly aired to the masses
I might line it up myself. My parents do have a limited account that they don't seem to utilize fully
THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:59PM
"GHEY." - Shia
bknight @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:07PM
Wii seems a really strange device for me
1. Cant play HD
2. Nintendo wants the WII to have a very simple interface with very few features
Also strange that Microsoft didn't enter in some type of exclusive deal with Netflix
cuteSAVAGE @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:14PM
Last time I used Netflix, 99% of the videos weren't in HD. Also, have you used a Netflix device other than 360 and through your browser? Most of them are extremely simplistic with even more basic interfaces than Wii's Channel menu.
Seems like the perfect fit for those that want instant Netflix on their tellies and only own a Wii.
Ghen @ Jun 24th 2009 9:42AM
Heroes is in HD and it is wonderful on netflix.
Also, you have to figure the future is only going to get more resolution.
sam @ Jun 24th 2009 11:40AM
@Ghen: The future is going to get an HD Wii as well, eventually. What's your point?
Back here in the present, plenty of people are still satisfied with SD resolution.
Double J @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:08PM
I feel like I've spent more time streaming Netflix on my 360 than I do actually playing games on it these days. I'd be interested to seeing what a Netflix Wii interface would look like.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:09PM
Well, at least this time there are no additional fees above the Netflix subscription.
Atlantis1982 @ Jun 24th 2009 4:49AM
If anything, we'll probably hear something about this come September; I usually find that September that Nintendo announces the odd ball stuff.
ragz175 @ Jun 24th 2009 6:28AM
Can the wii processor handle the intense video decoding stuff?
Patrick @ Jun 24th 2009 9:23AM
Will the Wii be able to handle netflix streaming? I foolishly installed the Wii web browser to watch youtube videos, the quality was terrible and the videos largely unwatchable.
Jeff-O @ Jun 28th 2009 12:54PM
"the quality was terrible and the videos largely unwatchable."
That's youtube for you.
Jay @ Jun 24th 2009 12:34PM
from everything I've found, the wii really only supports flash and mjpeg video formats, both of which are below par quality and neither of which are supported by Netflix. I'd be excited to see it happen, but strongly doubt it will