Attention, PlayStation 3 owners: want to watch a movie streamed instantly from Netflix via your PS3? I’ve got terrific news for you; very soon you’ll be able to do just that.
We’re excited to announce today that Netflix and Sony have partnered to bring you thousands of movies and TV episodes streamed instantly from Netflix to your TV via your PS3 system at no extra charge. When the application launches next month, you’ll be able to access and watch thousands of Netflix choices directly through the XMB. We think that the nearly nine million PS3 enthusiasts and 11.1 million Netflix members in the U.S. will make quite a match.
If you want to get a head start on your PS3 Netflix experience, you can sign up today at http://www.netflix.com/ps3.
For more information, check out the press release below (or click here), and stay tuned to the PlayStation.Blog for further updates on the rollout.
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COMING SOON: NETFLIX MEMBERS CAN INSTANTLY WATCH MOVIES AND TV EPISODES STREAMED TO TVs VIA THE PLAYSTATION®3 COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
With Movies Streamed Instantly from Netflix, Blu-ray/DVD Playback and Downloadable Videos via the PlayStation®Network, the PlayStation 3 System Offers The Industry’s Most Comprehensive Options for Watching Movies and TV Shows
FOSTER CITY and LOS GATOS, Calif., October 26, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) and Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] today announced that they are joining forces to make thousands of movies and TV episodes from Netflix available to be streamed instantly to TVs via the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. 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.
Today’s announcement pairs two of the most popular and fastest growing home entertainment brands in the U.S. The PS3 system’s installed base has reached close to 9 million units in the United States, and Netflix recently reported 11.1 million U.S. subscribers as of September 30.
The partnership further solidifies the PS3 system as the most complete home entertainment hub on the market today, enabling consumers to play high-definition games, watch Blu-ray movies, listen to music, view photos, browse the Internet, and download content from PlayStation®Network − from exclusive games to blockbuster movies and popular TV shows. PS3 system owners will soon enjoy an unparalleled experience watching their favorite movies and TV shows streamed instantly from Netflix, downloading from the PlayStation Network or watching Blu-ray/DVD media. The Netflix offering expands on the entertainment experience delivered to PS3 system owners via PlayStation Network.
For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers via Netflix ready devices such as the PS3 system and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes.
“The PlayStation 3 system has always been about more than just gaming, and it will soon be the only platform in the industry to offer consumers such a variety of convenient options for enjoying movies and TV shows,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. “Whether you want to watch content on Blu-ray disc and DVD, download it from the PlayStation Network’s video delivery service, or stream videos instantly from Netflix, the PS3 system is the only solution that offers it all.”
“As instantly watching movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix becomes an increasingly popular way to enjoy the Netflix service, our goal is to rapidly expand the devices that stream to our members,” said Netflix CEO and co-founder Reed Hastings. “As a leading game console and Blu-ray disc player, bringing Netflix to the PS3 system is a real win for both Netflix members and PS3 system owners.”
Initially, watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system will be enabled by a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc that is being made available to all Netflix members. The free instant streaming disc leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live™ technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, which must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Netflix members simply slide the disc into their PS3 systems to reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. These titles are conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members’ personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members’ individual instant Queues. Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues. With the PS3 system’s Wireless Controller, members can choose a movie to watch from their instant Queues or just play directly from any of the lists. They also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream via the Wireless Controller.
Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now reserve a free instant streaming disc for PS3 systems by going to www.netflix.com/ps3. Upon availability, the instant streaming disc will be delivered for free by first-class mail, generally one business day after members request it.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game consoles, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its digital services which include the PlayStation®Network and the PlayStation®Store.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one® game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, and the PlayStation 3 and PSP systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
About Netflix, Inc.
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is the world’s largest online movie rental service, with more than more than 11 million subscribers. For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes. There are never any due dates or late fees. Netflix members can exchange DVDs as often as they want using a postage-paid return envelope. Members can choose from a vast selection of DVD titles and a growing library of movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. Netflix is partnering with leaders in consumer electronics to bring to market a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to members’ TVs. These devices currently include Blu-ray disc players and new Internet TVs from LG Electronics; Blu-ray disc players from Samsung and Best Buy’s Insignia brand; the Roku digital video player; Microsoft’s Xbox 360 game console; TiVo digital video recorders; and, soon, the PS3 system and Internet TVs from Sony and VIZIO.
Just visited the site in the blog for Netflix that Sony stated…it states US only.
Sure hope Sony Canada is working with the Canadian government and laws to get Netflix as well as the Sony download service available soon in Canada.
@290
They already have the application. The problem is, for some unfathomable reason, they spent lots of time and money burning it on to hundreds of thousands of BDs instead of simply putting it on the Store for everyone to download.
This solution costs them time and money, and it costs us convenience. No one wins.
Will this be coming to Canada?
with this update, sony has officially stomped microsoft in the gut and beyond. i am so glad to hear that netflix will be coming to the ps3. although i have yet to own a system, i can say that without a doubt (especially when i get my modern warfare 2 collectors edition), that i will have me a ps3 next month. free online gaming, netflix, and reliability with the servers vs xbox live monthly/yearly fee, a system that can be hacked, and lack of a better hard drive…good bye microsoft and hello sony:] heck, if all the systems become 100% backwards compatible with ps2 games, sony will undoubtfully dominate every gaming company. keep up the good work sony.
I’m amazed at all the “why the disc?” questions. It says it will need the disc “INITIALLY” meaning they are probably coming out with a firmware update in the future so it can be native in the XMB. Shipping the discs out just makes us get the feature sooner as the firmware might take awhile to go through QA and such.
I approve.
Oh boy I’ll love to use netflix but I don’t live in the US so nobody wants mah money
*sad face*
The communication isn’t that clear on it. Define “from the XMB”. They said that when it launches we’ll be able to access it in that way. But the release cites that we’ll need a disc. So I don’t know what exactly to believe until Sony or Netflix clarifies the system out there.
thank god u guys are doing that … i already have netflix service .. and i was not about to pay more for ps3 rental service
“Netflix Streaming Disc” needs to be in the PS3??? What up with that?!
Great news! Awesome way to start the week.
Not that I will use this feature. But thanks for it if I ever want to. The more you add, the better the console is.
Keep up the good support PS.
*thumbs up*
This is a great addition.
All we need now is Cross Game Chat, and PSN will be second to none (as long it stays FREE….LOL)
SONY is on a roll and I hope they DO NOT STOP anytime soon.
In addition to my previous comment, I’ve discussed with fellow members of the Gamer Advisory Panel – and we really, really would love to see the PlayStation 3 get a video game rental service, like GameFly. The current PlayStation Network supports multi-gigabyte downloads of games, as-is, so surely we would be able to support PS3 and PSP game rentals from GameFly!
SUPER excited about this!!! I’ve been waiting for Netflix on PS3 for a long time!! I will be signing up for a Netflix account ASAP. Now not only can I rent new releases instantly when I want from the PSN store but I can watch netflix streaming anytime. Lost & The Office seasons FTW!!!!
Might check out the netflix trial now. My Internet sucks so I doubt I’ll be able to fully enjoy the streaming.
Wat to increase your video market share there, Sony.
This is awesome news! I can finally remove the old computer I had sitting under my TV to stream from Netflix!
“Netflix members simply slide the disc into their PS3 systems to reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly.”
Is going to be a one time deal where you put the disc in and the Netflix interface will be enabled on the PS3? I agree with many other poster that a HD install would be great for that program. But it’s a first in the right direction! And all for free, man I love my PS3!
CANADA please!!!!!!!
PS3
games, downloads, NETFLIX?
It only does everything!
We are always late to the party. LOL Guess better late then never. Hopefully next will get Facebook and Twitter on the XMB. It’s really great we are getting this feature but we need to be ahead of the competition, not following.
This will be great since there are so many restrictions to the 360’s netflix plus you have to buy gold in order to use netflix.
I would appreciate a firmware update so that I can use my trial offer so that I can decide whether i want to continue using the program.
Just another great reason to get a PlayStation 3!
Fantastic news! Netflix just gained another subscriber thanks to this.
What’s with the “Netflix Streaming Disc” needs to be in the PS3 business? I don’t get it.
There is no need for a PS3 update. Netflix will send you a install disc. I’m glad this is coming to PS3 and for free. Unlike those 360 fanboys you have to pay for live to get Netflix. If a movie is good and I want a HD copy I’ll buy it off PSN but for TV shows I’d rather rent them since I doubt I’d ever watch them again.
on joystiq, they quote Pacter as saying that the streaming disc may be a way of getting around the xbox exclusivity clause
@324,
1) it say initially
2) it may be a way of getting by the exclusivity clause of the MS, according to Michael Pacter
3) its not really a big deal
this is great news!
now, netflix needs to update its anime streaming collection and i will be a happy camper :0)
This is the best news I’ve heard today. Kudos, Sony!
Now if you guys can work out a deal with Hulu, I’ll be REALLY stoked…
Like Peanut butter and Chocolate. This is gonna b huge. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YES! This is an awesome feature that I’ve been waiting a long time for. Now I can ditch my LIVE membership & come back to the mothership.
Paying for media?
BOOM that’s all I can say oh and reinstating my Netflix account once this hits!
I just read that we are going to have to have a bluray disc in the PS3 in order to stream movies. That’s kind of inconvenient in any ways you think at it. Why is that? The PS3 is not powerful enough to stream without a bluray disc in the drive? Or does Microsoft not allow other console to stream without a disc? They sure do know how to write an exclusive contract. Damn those guys at Microsoft!
@327 it’s not THAT big of a deal, but you can’t say it’s inconsequential. Half the benefit of streaming on demand is that it’s “instant streaming” not “go over to your system to prepare for streaming, and then start your stream”.
I’m not saying I wouldn’t do it. And feel free to call me lazy. Because I am. But half of the beauty of my PS3 is that, when I’m playing through a game, I can still do other things without taking the disc out, like playing downloaded games, streaming media from my PC, etc. Taking into account the fact that I don’t subscribe to Netflix, making me switch discs for streaming media not only doesn’t encourage me to START a subscription, but it makes no LOGICAL sense.
I’ll accept Pachter’s answer, if it’s the truth (bypassing the exclusivity with X360) but there’s no reason I should need a disc in order to stream media…
@ 327
Yeah it is a big deal and it does make a difference. The convenience of instant streaming is being able to just access an entire library while sitting on the couch. With that whole disc thing it means it doesn’t matter if I got up and put a bluray in the actual drive. Right?
@3
You’re saying that something new and great isn’t needed? You’re a moron.
Are we going to see the same service in Canada any time soon? I really want to see the video store in Canada but this would definitely make up for it if we could at least get Netflix.
Let me guess us Canadians get screwed over YET once more???
Awesome, it took long enough but as long as we get it this year I won’t complain, I can think of several friends who will also use this feature.
Free is good, I still refuse to pay for XBlive and it’s over hyped, under performing services.
Oh yeah, and please bring Hulu back. We miss it.
Great news Playstation! Its great to have Netflix as an option.
Now I just have one more request: can you change your website so I can que up downloads on it? There are times when I’d love to purchase something off the store, but I have to wait until I get to my PS3. It would be great to be able to spend my money while on your website, then just have the download waiting for me when I logged in on my PS3. Thanks!
This is great news. If only i didn’t live in Canada where are CRTC blocks pretty much everything. It only took iTunes until last year before we started getting movies and tv shows i think.
It’s not so bad i guess. We will get it eventually. But this is terrific news.
Yeah this is great news.
PS3
IT ONLY DOES EVERYTHING!
i have been using the service constantly. the big diff. is the preice. 8.99 a month and you get it all. from what i understand. or do they still charge per episode or movie. dont know. PS3 did nt need but now that its here. more than welcomed. great part of it is that when we have get togethers my wife brings everybody in turn on the PS3. look for a movie. find one. purchase it. take in mind we are all hangging out having some Cazadores with Squirt. Buzzing a little. just ate. everybody is now sitting waiting to watch and up comes the grey back groung showing 186 minutes to download. press play while downloading and like 5 mi nutes of movie and then the buffering and satlling. major mood killer. by then people start losing there buzz. get hungry again. some leave. 70 min in im left alone to watch Obsessed, He is just not that into you, etc. I already paid and have 24 hours from the first play to watch again till expiration. might aswell. so yeah. instant streaming would really come through and keep the party going. and make me and my PS3 look good. Thanks SONY. you did again.
For those complaining that this isn’t needed. I think that being able to stream unlimited movies and tv for $8.99 per month is awesome! don’t need cable tv anymore….except that this is only for the US right now…I hope that Canadians get to have it soon…I mean the 360 offered it to Canadians after a year…..it has been longer on the PS3…not sure if you realize how much more revenue you would get if you just worked through the hurdles to bring it to Canada..
and yes Netflix does service canada
ok 2 questions? 1.WHY NOT IMPROVE THE PSN VIDEO WITH STREAMING? 2.I’M SEEING THE WORD “FREE” BUT I’M SURE THERE IS GOING TO BE A “FEE” SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE, RIGHT?
Dude this will be frickin’ sweet, but do we still get to keep the PSN video service too? Cuz I like being able to own movies and tv shows.
Very nice. I’ve always been a little jealous of my friend for having this on his 360. Thanks for bringing it to the PS3.
This is exciting!!!!!