Netflix to Stream Videos to iPhone, Nintendo Wii: Source
Netflix, ahead of pay-TV providers, continues extending its own “TV Everywhere” strategy to more devices.
Next up: The company will soon offer the Watch Instantly video-streaming feature on Apple iPhones and iPod Touch devices and the Nintendo Wii gaming console, according to an industry executive familiar with Netflix’s plans. (Netflix wouldn’t confirm the info, with a rep saying it declines to comment on “rumors or speculation.”)
Netflix already lets subscribers access 12,000-plus TV shows and movies on a laundry list of devices, including: PCs, Macs, Microsoft’s Xbox 360, TiVo DVRs, Internet-connected Blu-ray players from LG Electronics and Samsung, the Roku set-top, and TVs from Sony and LG. Content partners for the Internet service include Starz, Disney, CBS and MTV Networks.
Several iPhone apps already let Netflix customers manage their queues and search for movies. The Netflix streaming-video app would let users watch the actual content on an iPhone or iPod touch.
However, Netflix’s streaming-video feature would probably be restricted to access over local Wi-Fi connections only — not over AT&T’s 3G data network — in the same the way other bandwidth-heavy video apps for the iPhone are limited.
For example, EchoStar’s SlingPlayer Mobile for the iPhone is Wi-Fi-only, because AT&T says “slinging” TV would chew up too much bandwidth over its 3G network (and would violate its terms of service, anyway). Similarly, CBS’s March Madness iPhone app offering live coverage of games was limited to Wi-Fi.
Alex commented:
Cool
John commented:
Just one more reason to get an iPhone!
Mark commented:
Here's the repost: It's the other way around. Barring the Slingplayer (or any other streaming software) on the iPhone from using the 3G network is a breach of contract on AT&T's side. They manipulated the terms of service after-the-fact SPECIFICALLY to ban Slingplayer ONLY for iPhones. It's a breach of contract, and it's unacceptable. If I purchased an aircard with AT&T using 3G for my laptop, I could use slingplayer, no problem. Blackberries and other smartphones have used AT&T 3G for Slingplayer for YEARS. It's a double standard and a breach of contract. It's not iPhone users' fault that AT&T contractually obligated itself to more bandwidth than it had; that's it's own fault, not the fault of the consumers. They are running a scheme, like Bialystock and Bloom in the Producers, selling 1000% of what they had, then simply coercing Apple to ban any software it pleases. And it IS arbitrary, since Pandora and others can stream. And don't give me the stock AT&T excuse of not allowing internet streaming of over-the-air broadcasts, since that would mean I could use 3G to use Slingplayer for items recorded on my DVR, since they are no longer "over-the-ari", but are mpegs stored on a hard drive. All in all, AT&T is a bunch of liars that breach consumer contracts at whim without repercussion. They're awful, and you shouldn't make excuses for them. I blame Apple for their hand in this too.
Todd Spangler commented:
Mark - didn't get your entire comment. Can you try to re-post?
Mark commented:
Actually Todd
Steely commented:
My previous comment was truncated - Dan: iTunes is download-to-own while Netflix is unlimited streaming for flat monthly price. They are pretty different business models.
Steely commented:
Dan - iTunes is download-to-own
Dan commented:
Why would Apple agree to an app that competes with iTunes? I was under the impression that you can download movies in iTunes. It would be cannibalizing one of their own revenue streams.
Firefly commented:
To Tim V: Yeah, sucks that the PS3 can play Blu-ray. What was that HD standard Xbox plays? Oh yeah--HD-DVD. Remind me: are the major movie studios still making those?
I would assume you realize most people didn't buy a PS3 to stream NetFlix right? There are however alternatives like PlayOn which enable the PS3 to stream NetFlix just fine so that technically makes PS3-2, XBox 360-1. Wow dude, bad call.
Ann commented:
Interesting Set of movies you picked as an illustration haha.
Tim V commented:
WHOA! iPhone/iPod would be sweet. It has always sucked when i'm using wifi, but don't want to whip out my comp to see a movie. BTW, I like the guy who doesn't have a 360, but has a PS3. Man, bad call.
sa commented:
mk
juniesco commented:
This is cool but I probably wouldn’t use it for the simple fact that AT&T sucks when it comes to apps like this and will limit it to WiFi only. How is it that Verizon and even Sprint will allow video streaming over their 3G networks but AT&T refuses to do so? I guess when you have the most popular phone exclusive to your network you can do that. I guarantee you though when their contract is up with Apple and Apple starts allowing the phone on other networks they will surely open up their restrictions.
sip commented:
you won't get HD over a Wii - doesn't matter to me, i've been streaming via my HD tivo for months now.
can't wait for this to be on iphone- will definitely come in handy when traveling (and not wanting to drag a laptop around).
Batman commented:
This is great news, as I have a Wii and PS3 (but no xBox 360), and between those two and my TiVo I've maxed out the inputs on the back of my television. Roku box itself doesn't scare me, but I've got nowhere to plug the thing!
Scott commented:
Streaming to the iPhone would be great - even just wi-fi (for now).
Rob commented:
I've already got both so I hope this is true. :-)
Harry commented:
Cool - yet another reason to get a Nintendo Wii and keep my Netflix subscription!
