It's Official: Netflix To Stream To Nintendo's Wii
Netflix Covers Three Major Gaming Consoles With Internet-Video Feature
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 1/13/2010 6:20:00 AM
Netflix has completed the hat trick to deliver movies and TV shows via the three major gaming consoles, announcing an agreement with Nintendo of America to bring its Internet-video streaming feature to Wii customers in the U.S. this spring.
Netflix on Nintendo's Wii
Netflix's plans to team up with Nintendo on the popular Wii console were reported by Multichannel News last summer. Microsoft had a window of exclusivity on the Netflix service with the Xbox 360, an agreement announced in July 2008, then last fall Netflix said it would offer the feature on Sony's PlayStation 3 as well.
According to Nintendo, it has sold 26 million Wii consoles in the U.S., including 3 million in December 2009. The devices carry a list price of $200.
"The Wii console is the social hub around which friends and family members gather to play games and have fun," Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime said in announcing the Netflix deal. "Soon both new and longtime Wii owners will enjoy the benefits of Netflix -- and a variety of informational and entertainment options -- by being Netflix members and connecting their consoles to the Internet."
Netflix now has deals with more than a dozen manufacturers to embed the Internet streaming capability, including Panasonic, Sanyo, Sharp, Toshiba, Funai, LG Electronics, Samsung, Sony, Best Buy's Insignia brand, Roku and TiVo.
The movie-rental company is increasingly viewed as a competitive threat to cable and satellite TV, according to industry analysts, in that it provides more than 12,000 on-demand titles -- available directly to Internet-connected TVs and other devices -- for a lower monthly fee than traditional multichannel services. Netflix had 11.1 million U.S. subscribers as of Sept. 30, 2009.
Under the deal with Nintendo, Netflix is scheduled to go live on the Wii console this spring in the United States at no additional cost to Netflix members with an unlimited DVD-by-mail plan.
Wii owners will need a broadband connection to the console, as well as a free disc that "looks and operates the same as a disc-based Wii game," according to the companies. Netflix subscribers and Wii console owners can order a free instant-streaming disc at www.netflix.com/Wii. Once available in the spring, the discs will be delivered for free by first-class mail, Netflix said.
Netflix customers can use the gesture-aware Wii remote controller to choose a movie or TV episode to watch from their instant queues or pick one directly from any of the lists. Other features will include the ability to read synopses and rate movies, plus fast-forward and rewind during playback.
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When will Netflix allowing Mac users to stream? Seems like a pretty basic concept.
Joe Booth - 1/19/2010 12:16:34 PM EST
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