Netflix PS3 Requires Disc Until 'Late Next Year'

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Fresh off the announcement that Netflix is bringing its video streaming service to PlayStation 3 in November, the company has revealed some additional details.

While PlayStation 3 owners will initially have to use a free disc to access the service, the company told Joystiq that should change "late next year" with the debut of a downloadable Netflix application for PlayStation 3.

Netflix explained that it went with the disc because it "represented the fastest and easiest way" to bring the service to PlayStation 3, and added that the streaming on PlayStation 3 should be identical to that of the Xbox 360 in terms of content and functionality.

The Xbox 360 added Netflix video streaming in 2008 through a free software download, though it required users to have bought or redeemed an Xbox Live Gold membership in addition to the expected Netflix account. While PlayStation 3 streaming will still require a Netflix membership, there will be no additional charges on the console itself.

As for why it will take close to a year to craft the downloadable version for PlayStation 3, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pacther believes it's due to a contract with Microsoft.

"We believe that the exclusive arrangement limits Netflix's ability to appear on the 'dashboard' for the PS3 or the Wii," he explained. "We anticipate that a similar arrangement will be announced for the Wii in the next 12 months."

Netflix recently noted its intent to bring the streaming service to "all the game consoles," with surveys having suggested that a Wii version could also be disc-based.

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    October 27, 2009 8:49 AM

    [deleted]

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      October 27, 2009 8:50 AM

      [deleted]

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        October 27, 2009 2:06 PM

        of course it does, this is just a work around until the contract is up.

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      October 27, 2009 9:10 AM

      Probably. I was hoping to see Netflix built in sooner than that. I'll probably stick with streaming on the 360 for now. Maybe I'm lazy, but swapping a disc to watch an episode of The Office or 30 Rock sucks and takes the convenience out of instant play.

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        October 27, 2009 9:28 AM

        It's slightly less convenient, but seriously, compared to paying for another box to stream Netflix, program to stream it from your PC, or heaven-forbid...going to the video store, this is still pretty convenient.

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      October 27, 2009 9:22 AM

      Heh, did any of you read the entire article?

      As for why it will take close to a year to craft the downloadable version for PlayStation 3, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pacther believes it's due to a contract with Microsoft.

      "We believe that the exclusive arrangement limits Netflix's ability to appear on the 'dashboard' for the PS3 or the Wii," he explained. "We anticipate that a similar arrangement will be announced for the Wii in the next 12 months."

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        October 27, 2009 9:25 AM

        [deleted]

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        October 27, 2009 9:31 AM

        Don't give them the answer. Shit, if they can't read, let them sit there and look retarded.

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        October 27, 2009 9:59 AM

        It does sound initially as though it's a PS3 issue... who reads full articles anyway these days??? :)

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        October 27, 2009 10:13 AM

        [deleted]

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        October 27, 2009 10:14 AM

        To be fair, I believe his comment was posted before the article was fleshed out with Pachter's comments.

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          October 27, 2009 10:27 AM

          Fair enough. I hope I didn't come off as rude as some of the other posters, but I read the article after the comments were added, not realizing that they weren't there before, and so was a bit annoyed at the apparent TL;DR mentality.

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          October 27, 2009 1:14 PM

          I wish you guys would use some sort of marking like "Update:" in the article to clear up things like this.

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            October 27, 2009 1:27 PM

            If there's any sort or substantial update or development made after the article is initially posted, it's reflected with "Update."

            However, there are instances where we'll rush to get the main news up and then flesh out some of the background details shortly after that initial posting--things that aren't vital to the story and may not be worthy of an "Update" as they're not breaking, but will help with its understanding.

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              October 28, 2009 10:24 AM

              I know, I don't like the rush. I can wait 10 minutes. 'tis the blog attitude to rush.

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