Netflix is coming to the PS3 [update]

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 26th 2009 at 12:19AM }

So this is why Netflix's stock went soaring. After countless rumors, Netflix's streaming service is finally coming to the PlayStation 3. Even better: it'll be free for PlayStation Network members that have a Netflix account. According to 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."

It looks like you'll also be able to manage your Netflix streaming queue directly from your PS3; no need to have accessed the site via computer first. It'll be interesting to see how Microsoft responds to the loss of Netflix exclusivity -- perhaps it will open up the service to free Xbox Live Silver accounts? And will Nintendo ever join the fray?

Update: Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities noted that the Blu-ray disc required for Netflix playback on the PS3 may circumvent exclusivity clauses instituted by Microsoft. "We believe that the exclusive arrangement limits Netflix's ability to appear on the 'dashboard' for the PS3 or the Wii." Additionally, Pachter believes Netflix streaming will expand to Nintendo's console next year. "We anticipate that a similar arrangement will be announced for the Wii in the next 12 months."

Tags: netflix, playstation-network, psn, streaming, win

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)

solarshadows074 @ Oct 26th 2009 12:22AM

FUCK YES CAPSLOCK.

bumblo @ Oct 26th 2009 12:30AM

Well strike off one excuse not to buy a PS3. (I'm looking at you 360 owners).

On a related note,

WOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTT! OMG OMG!

roger @ Oct 26th 2009 12:30AM

Yes and its free, one more reason not to renew live when it expires.

Marius @ Oct 26th 2009 12:38AM

OH YEAH

creyes4182 @ Oct 26th 2009 12:38AM

They really are getting rid of all the differences between Live and PSN. All xbox live guys have now is cross game voice chat. We have cross game txt chat though. And Voice is coming next update.... wait there aren't going to be any differences pretty soon O.o

Robert @ Oct 26th 2009 12:43AM

YEAHHH!!! GO PS3!!! :-)

eNrique @ Oct 26th 2009 12:52AM

The only difference between live and PlayStation Network will be the 50 dlls per year / person.

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Oct 26th 2009 12:53AM

Well, there will still be one BIG difference between PSN and XBL...

The price.

Space @ Oct 26th 2009 1:09AM

i think you guys are forgetting about game invites and session joining of xbl...the two main reasons people enjoy it so much.

but anyway woohoo I'll start up my netflix again PlayOn got kind of screwy recently. hopefully MS quits charging for xbl

CPRxChris @ Oct 26th 2009 1:38AM

If MS stops charging for XBL, in the midst of some members already have 12-month subscriptions and etc., they could always just recompense those that bought it with MS points. That would be the smartest idea, I would think.

But yeah, this is awesome.

Monica Dickey @ Oct 26th 2009 1:54AM

haha yeah it's pretty cool!

The pay to play xbox vs free ps network is an interesting factor now for sure.

DeepFriedSushi @ Oct 26th 2009 2:17AM

you know whats strange, when it comes to certain features sony is always playing catch up with microsoft but instead of people ever pointing this out they always paint this as a victory but imo shouldnt leaders get a bit more credit for originally bring out these features into the mainstream?

DeepFriedSushi @ Oct 26th 2009 2:23AM

anyways what im trying to say is that the ps3 owes alot of its success/features to the xbox1/360/pc. voicechat, marketplace, console online gaming, achievements, etc.

I think its fine to be a fan of your respective consoles but there is just far too much bashing going on, i feel like people should respect each console because they all have had their own influence and impact on the gaming industry as a whole and this competition is what has driven the most evolving console generation thus far.

DigitalTwisted @ Oct 26th 2009 2:23AM

LOL @ The difference in screen real estate the PS3 is getting over the 360 on Netflix's website:

http://www.netflix.com/NetflixReadyDevicesList?lnkce=nrd-l&trkid=425738&lnkctr=nrd-l-n

Matt @ Oct 26th 2009 2:30AM

You don't realize how useful this feature is (for the Xbox 360 or the PS3) until you want to stream movies to your TV, and find out you already have a Media Center Extender in the console itself - this is an excellent feature to have!

Silicon Siren @ Oct 26th 2009 2:31AM

Microsoft charges consumers for the superior online service because quite frankly if the consumer doesn't pay for the content then no one will. This is why the PSN doesn't see demoes as often or on the same date that the 360 gets them. Publishers are charged per MB downloaded by users through Sony's servers and they usually gauge how many people are interested in their product on the 360 before even letting the PSN users have the chance to download it. That and small publishers/developers don't do well on the PSN because the risk of losing more than they make on their game thanks to the exorbitant fees Sony imposes is to great. This is why Live will always be superior in the US, bandwidth is price fixed, expensive and Sony treats the publishers like shit.

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Oct 26th 2009 2:33AM

@Silicon Siren

What the hell does that have to do with Netflix?
Stop trying to turn this into a console war.

Silicon Siren @ Oct 26th 2009 2:37AM

@SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89)

I'm not the one that brought up the differences between each console, read above my comment. I'm just making known what must be. People here suggest Microsoft pays for exclusives. That isn't the case, live users pay for the content to be delivered to the infrastructer free of charge to the consumer (comparitvie to Sony's setup).

phinnvr6 @ Oct 26th 2009 2:41AM

So now there is a device that plays Uncharted 2, Demon's Souls, Modern Warfare 2, Gran Turismo 5, Blu-ray movies, Web browser with flash, multimedia streaming, free online gaming, will never rrod, and now.... Netflix?

Damn. PS3 is awesome.

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Oct 26th 2009 2:43AM

Don't forget PlayStation Home!
*gets down-voted*
Screw you guys, the Ratchet & Clank Home Space is awesome!
*gets banned*
I'll be good.

CheeziePotato @ Oct 26th 2009 2:47AM

@Silicon Siren
Stop with this PSN and XBL comparison, they're both great. I have a PS3 and 360 and find PSN better than XBL, but that's just my opinion. They're both have their advantages.

swindle2915 @ Oct 26th 2009 3:56AM

roger @ it is 10 dollar a month you know, not free.

DamonTheMoney @ Oct 26th 2009 4:55AM

http://vgtribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/it-only-does-everything.jpg

SolidSnakeX @ Oct 26th 2009 5:55AM

ITS ABOUT FREAKING DAMN TIME THAT SONY PICKED UP A NEW RENTAL SERVICE THE OTHER ONE WAS A RIPOFF!..BUT I'M WITH BLOCKBUSTER =(...
NOW SCEA IN GAME MUSIC /CROSS IN GAME CHAT! HURRY UP PLEASE1.. THEY ALSO NEED UNIVERSAL FRIENDS AND BAN LIST!

Maverick Saturn (Igor) @ Oct 26th 2009 6:38AM

THE FLAMES, THEY BURNZ US

Mein Bratwurst @ Oct 26th 2009 6:53AM

Hmm, that's odd, DeepFriedSushi.. I remember voice chatting online on SOCOM in August of '02, a few months before Xbox Live even launched. It goes both ways, competition = we all win.

JACK @ Oct 26th 2009 7:34AM

*does victory dance*

drdre74 @ Oct 26th 2009 8:58AM

it's about time. Microsoft is going to have to make silver accounts open to netflix now if not they suck. I'll more than likely get a $8 account just to get movies for my daughter to watch.

borland502 (SDF Macross) @ Oct 26th 2009 9:54AM

I have both consoles now...what do you mean there's a third? Anyway, while I do like my new 360 and it's DVR capability through Media Extender, I really don't use Gold enough to pay for Netflix. PlayOn's great, but it'll be nice to have HD and a direct transfer to the console.

PSN has always been the superior service (for me) because while I'm a hard core gamer, I'm casual in online play. It's nice to be able to dip my toes in the water now and again without getting charged for it. Plus, I hate paying spacebux for games. If I'm getting screwed on price, I want to know in real dollars.

Chibi Chaingun - blackhivemedia.com @ Oct 26th 2009 10:52AM

I have both consoles and have been doing Netflix on 360 for some time, but what I want to know is the PS3 going to do HD streaming?

As for each service, I prefer XBL mainly due to ALL my friends using it and none even have a PS3. I don't see much I don't like about PSN, I just don't prefer it.

Fanboys FTL.

Heimbachae @ Oct 26th 2009 10:45AM

first off, sorry solarshadows for adding onto the mountain of comments.

secondly, it's not FREE for playstation owners, it's the same deal that the xboxers get, you PAY for netflix and it's free to stream on your console of choice. if you guys want to turn this into a console war this is not the feature to be touting, because it's the same price on both consoles. the argument you guys are trying to have is now LIVE costs money and the PSN does not, BUT THAT'S NOT THE STORY.

oh fanboys.

commen-cents @ Oct 26th 2009 11:22AM

@Heim

your opinion is great and all but your wrong...
lets say someone gets a 360 and a ps3 for christmas... for the stories sake lets pretend mom and dad just got divorced and want to show their offspring they are loved. now this family loves movies (dad was a film critic for the local paper) and they read about the netflix streaming for both systems. this excites the family because they already have an account being film buffs. imagine the disappointment when they find out that they have to pay for a gold subscription to live just to stream movies when they are already paying for a netflix account. then they realize, wait a second, the ps3 does this for free? well, of course the ps3 is their new favorite system and they decide to return the 360 the next day and pick up a second ps3 to keep at the other parents house. in other words, for this issue the ps3 beats the 360 by a long shot...

Maverick Saturn (Igor) @ Oct 26th 2009 11:29AM

@ commen-cents

That was actually hilarious, it's probably the way you explained it, but it had me smiling from ear to ear

Kevin @ Oct 26th 2009 11:37AM

@ Heimbachae: I thought Netflix only streams if you're an Xbox gold member? I suppose that by definition that's not quite the same as "charging extra' for Netflix, but it does mean you need an additional paid membership to successfully stream to the Xbox, where with the PS3 all you need is a Netflix account and an internet connection.

pax copia @ Oct 26th 2009 11:41AM

Nice! I guess it means that it is coming to the PSP too via remote play!

Latin_Trident @ Oct 26th 2009 1:10PM

I love my 360 and all but this is just sweet! I will have to convince my wife to get this for us and how it will benefit our family.

Wiizer ($299) Having BC On Your Launch Console? (Priceless) @ Oct 26th 2009 1:41PM

I almost decided not to post in this epic win for the PS3, as it could be construed as me being a fanboy...

Oh wait, I already hit add comment.

MrEverdred01 @ Oct 26th 2009 1:56PM

@pax copia, woah I didn't think of that. That will be lovely. If netflix streams through remote play, I hope they make an ad or two on that to inform people.

CPRxChris @ Oct 26th 2009 2:45PM

My only question now is whether or not you'll be able to use Netflix on your PC and/or PS3 and/or 360 simultaneously.

eNrique @ Oct 26th 2009 3:45PM

deepfriedshit, just to clarify some things;

voicechat PS2
marketplace, I don't really know who was the first one to introduce it to consoles
console online gaming PS2
achievements are based on skill points, and guess what?
They also appeared first on the PS2.