Well, Netflix is officially available for all that play video games, no matter what you play them on. Netflix is now supported by the PC, MAC, Xbox 360, PS3, and as of this Spring the Nintendo Wii. This statement was released from Netflix Co.
“Our research shows that 86 percent of all U.S. Wii consoles are located in the living room,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “The Wii console is the social hub around which friends and family members gather to play games and have fun. 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.”
“Our goal is to offer Netflix members as many ways as possible to watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix right to their TVs and to give non-members more and compelling reasons to consider the service,” said Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings. “Joining forces with Nintendo, which has been so immensely popular with consumers since its introduction, is a very meaningful step in that direction.”
From what we understand, the Wii like the PS3 will also need a Software Disc in the machine in order to watch movies. No word if this will be patched in via firmware. What do we think Elder-Geeks, will this catch with the Wii crowd?
That’s really great to hear for Wii owners. And even better news for Netflix subscribers.
I’m curious how this affects HBO and Cinemax if it affects them at all.
I bet its not good. I think that Pay per View channels like HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, are really shifting toward original programing instead of just movies. Shows like Dexter, The sopranos, Dead Like Me, Queer as Folk, etc. Movies are not really the major draws anymore, and this is probably a result of netflix, on demand, iTunes, ect.
Huh, considering that the Wii can’t even play normal-format DVDs, this is some pretty good news…
Actually Gavin, it can, but you have to mod the system. I am surprised that Nintendo hasn’t just made a firmware update to make it play DVDs without a work around. You did realize that the Games are on DVDs, so it should be a shoe-in for Nintendo to do a Firmware update.
I’m just curious, have you done this mod for yourself, Keck?
Nope, I don’t dare to want to brick my console. I have a PS3 and a PC to play my DVDs, so no worry. Well anyways, most people already have a DVD player so it really isn’t that important for the function, it just cuts down on one appliance needed, it would be good seeing as how the Wiimote is a remote.
It is nice to know that more people will be able to watch movies off of Netflix, most of the stuff is in 480p anyways so not too much of a problem, the only problem will be trying to get people to realize that their console can connect to the internet.
Ah, naturally I know most games are DVD format, but I completely forgot about the glorious, glorious modding community. *sniff* I love those peeps.