Sony Pictures pulls NXE Netflix content

By Robert Purchese Published 19 November, 2008

Hundreds of films temporarily axed.

Netflix has pulled all content by Sony-owned Columbia Pictures from the on-demand New Xbox Experience film streaming service.

The movie rental company blames licensing problems, although other Netflix-enabled streaming platforms such as PCs and TVs are unaffected.

"As watching instantly becomes a more prominent part of the Netflix service, our goal is to have all of our streaming content licensed for all of our partner devices," Netflix told MTV Multiplayer. "We're doing well in this area, but it will take some time before we fully achieve that goal."

"Today, titles regularly come in and out of license and there is a natural ebb and flow to what we have on license at any given point in time. In the case of Xbox 360, a few hundred titles are temporarily unavailable to be streamed via the Xbox game console."

Among those "few hundred" are films such as Superbad and the entire Karate Kid trilogy.

Of course, the Netflix streaming service is only available in the US, so none of this affects us. Unfortunately, there are also no plans for a similar operation here.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (54) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Pirotic #1 3 years ago

    super sour grapes!

    Microsoft announced, developed and have now released an avatar system while Sony still haven't even got Home into an open public beta. Prior to that Sony announced divx playback, and then MS managed to announce and release it in the period Sony was sat on it's arse.

  • mattigan #2 3 years ago

    Fucking petty

  • danteire #3 3 years ago

    Its a bit odd there are no plans for a Netflix like service over here, it was one of the big parts Microsoft marketed the NXE on.


    But then I guess then we would have to get reasonably priced films here in Europe.

  • Fleisch #4 3 years ago

    Why would you want netflix when we have play.com £2 films to own!

  • BartonFink #5 3 years ago

    Good grief what a shower of idiots.
    Definitely sour grapes.

    What next MS won't allow Windows installs on Sony PCs?

  • keyboardmonkey #6 3 years ago

    Sony, shotgun in hand pointing down, Sony foot on floor. mmm you can guess what happens next.

    I would have thought Sony would have been looking to get all the revenue it can given the current financial climate. I am hoping MS don't return fire e.g. All Sony branded laptops to have Windows removed.(although I know some people would say that was only a good thing)

    Lets hope its all just a big misunderstanding and they can kiss and make up, otherwise what's next no Sony music on iTunes (Apple are touting the iPhone/iTouch as a gaming machine that is better supposedly than the PSP)

    damn you barton fink and your quick fingers.
    Edited by 1 at 19/11/08 @ 10:48

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #7 3 years ago

    It does look like sour grapes, but I imagine it really is a temporary licencing issue. I don't think Sony are as bitter and arrogant as to cut off a potentially lucrative revenue stream. Which is why MS won't do something like stop Windows going on Sony laptops - they know where their bread is buttered.

  • DB2k #8 3 years ago

    There are 4 Karate Kid films.

  • Tonka #9 3 years ago

    This is why Sony invested in content companies though. Hardly surprising at all really. The question is if New Era Enterntainment will become big enough for Sony to get in bed with their rivals.

    They put Windows on their laptops after all.

  • jack_klugman #10 3 years ago

    I would imagine this doesn't harm Microsoft's selling power for the Xbox one iota compared to how it potentially damages the reputation of not only Sony, but their partner Netflix. At least in the eyes of those who follow the games press.

  • chessboxer #11 3 years ago

    From what I've heard, it's only Columbia Pictures and not the rest of Sony's film studios and it is licensing problems (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/18 /nxe-netflix-streaming-queues-suddenly-gimped/, but I'll just sit back and watch the fanboy comments and people threatening to never buy another Sony product again and sell their PS3's like on X3F.

  • jack_klugman #12 3 years ago

    From what I've heard, it's only Columbia Pictures and not the rest of Sony's film studios and it is licensing problems

    I retract my earlier comment!

  • Aretak #13 3 years ago

    Aww, are facts going to get in the way of a big anti-Sony circle jerk here? Delete your post chessboxer, you spoilsport.

  • peteb #14 3 years ago

    @DB2k

    We don't talk about "The Next Karate Kid"...

    not ever.

  • Der_tolle_Emil #15 3 years ago

    I believe that licensing issues are to blame. The effect of less sold 360s because of the missing titles is irrelevant compared to how much money they lose by not having those movies available. The NXE is free and with making the movies not available they (whoever is responsible) screw Netflix more than they screw Microsoft.

    I'm sure everything will be resolved by the end of the month.

  • DanWhitehead #16 3 years ago

    Sony's film studios have nothing to do with the games division. If they did, don't you think all those lucrative Spider-Man movie games would've been first party PlayStation exclusives?

  • chris_ace #17 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 11:55:13 13-12-2011

  • smirny #18 3 years ago

    Seriously Sony, that's possibly the lamest thing I've read all year.

  • Garulon #19 3 years ago

    "If they did, don't you think all those lucrative Spider-Man movie games would've been first party PlayStation exclusives?"

    How do you explain the stupid PLAYSTATION 3 font then? Eh? EH?

  • Widge #20 3 years ago

    I do hope you have a scan through the comments before finalising that as your opinion.

  • login_name #21 3 years ago

    The European video marketplace is a joke compared to the US version. How do they expect digital services to take over hard media when the content is only available in one country.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #22 3 years ago

    That's a low blow.

  • Dizzy #23 3 years ago

    Sad

  • rotmm #24 3 years ago

    @login_name,

    Indeed. It is a shame that these big media companies still just cannot get it in to their heads that "soft" media is a big part of their future. Hasn't iTunes already proved that?

    So to make it so difficult to license the exact same film, show, etc in different countries is just holding a potential new revenue stream from themselves.

  • rudedudejude #25 3 years ago

    god I hate that shitty spiderman font. Lazy designers, just goes to show how much effort they put into the logo branding.

    /types playstation 3 into word

    /changes font to spiderman

    Job done boss! Can i have my £500k branding payment now please?

  • aliki #26 3 years ago

    Jesus, this is just a licensing issue. Get a grip will you all Eurogamer forumites.

    Sony Pictures is a separate entity from SCE.
    Edited by 1 at 19/11/08 @ 11:45

  • Widge #27 3 years ago

    ROLL OUT THE PICARD

  • makeamazing #28 3 years ago

    The main problem with video download services is the "revenue" issue. I-tunes has had it recently etc.. where they try and pay as little as possible for their content and pass only pence back to the content creator. I think its sensible to believe that this may have more to do with getting a better deal rather than just a cheap shot at MS...

  • merkdot #29 3 years ago

    The Playstation 3 / Spider-man font is the same as that used on the old Xbox.

    Go and investigate it yourself if you're interested. Food for thought for the system warriors.

  • rotmm #30 3 years ago

    @Adam_T,

    Actually, the use of the spiderman font on the PS3 was specifically requested by Ken Kuratagi (you know, he of "father of the Playstation" fame).

    So if you don't like it, blame him ;)

  • SEVQA #31 3 years ago

    "What next MS won't allow Windows installs on Sony PCs"

    Well they certainly dis allowed access to various Microsoft sites (hotmail included) with the Sony web browser about a month into launch.

  • merkdot #32 3 years ago

    Here's a fun image: http://i34.tinypic. com/w8rmsj.png

  • Freek #33 3 years ago

    So very very childish.

  • Collymilad #34 3 years ago

    Wow.

    Sony you really are a bunch of pricks. If I was Sony i seriously wouldn't start this kind of shit...

  • Madafunkola #35 3 years ago

    What ever happened to the BT Vision/Xbox love-in? Anyone use BT internet who has this?

  • SeesThroughAll #36 3 years ago

    Good one, EG. Nice fantroll bait.

    Everybody, read the news on other sites too before cursing Sony. It's a LICENSING issue. It only affects Columbia Pictures movies.

  • dr_faulk #37 3 years ago

    Cucking Funts.

  • GiarcYekrub #38 3 years ago

    No plans? I thought MS had done a deal with BT Vision

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #39 3 years ago

    I'm pleased there seems to be a 50/50 split between people going "Sony are the suxxor" and "it's a licencing issue! /picard facepalm".

    BTW, Madafunkola: I've got BT and I've no idea what this love-in is supposed to entail. I know when I took out my broadband subscription three years ago I got a year's free Gold, but other than that, nada. I am on an el cheeperino contract, tho.

  • bushwod #40 3 years ago

    Song throwing their toys out of the pram then

  • StooMonster #41 3 years ago

    These movies are available on Apple's iTunes and other services. It is a bit odd that it's only Microsoft Xbox 360 and only Sony Pictures that have licensing issues, but who knows. Don't hurt Microsoft in any way, but does make Sony look ... sour.

    Wasn't there a problem with Sony Music on iTunes in Japan in the past, when Sony were still pushing their "iPod Killer"?

  • CreepinJesus #42 3 years ago

    This is sad.

  • Teamallstar #43 3 years ago

    Could Sony are the worst losers ever.

    Sony fanboy bots are crying more and more into their milk every day.

  • chris_ace #44 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 11:55:13 13-12-2011

  • Frandroid #45 3 years ago

    As numerous others have pointed out, all the signs indicate it's a standard licensing issue rather than some grand conspiracy.
    It's only Columbia Pictures, a Sony subsiduary, that are affected. Sony Pictures and other Sony subsiduaries are still available. Most likely the specific license in place with Columbia and Netflix prohibits distribution via the X360 for some reason. From the sounds of it, Netflix are already looking fo alter the contract and get the films back.
    Also, until any of this is of any relevence to those of us in Europe, I could care less.

    PS Certain other websites managed to report this story, correct it and update it before Eurogamer got out of bed this morning. Poor show really.

  • BillyBrush #46 3 years ago

    lol can people please stop posting with that damned irritating thing at the front and the end it makes them sound like retards lol

  • chris_ace #47 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 11:55:13 13-12-2011

  • themorganator #48 3 years ago

    Whether its actually a licensing issue and unrelated to Sony HQ remains to be seen. However, the timing has to be more than coincidence. In the same week as the premier video streaming service goes online on 360, Sony owned content gets blocked on 360. hmmm.

    Licensing issues or not, we'll never really know the truth so please make up your own minds. The people claiming to know the truth or who are referencing press releases as FACT are just as stupid as the blatant fan-tards. You don't know so don't claim that you do!

  • hokuto_no_rob #49 3 years ago

    Fuck you Sony. I still haven't forgiven you for Lik-Sang.

  • Gouki #50 3 years ago

    i really do have to agree with the opening comment (sour grapes). We all know why sony have done it and in the same position we would i guess do the same....

    oh... well i like the new front end MS, and i still like me movies in a box with a booklet (laughs ohhhh yerh.... booklet...)

  • Gouki #51 3 years ago

    i am also a little sour about lik sang....!!!!!

  • Sevens #52 3 years ago

    "I am hoping MS don't return fire e.g. All Sony branded laptops to have Windows removed"

    Wouldn't be legal/possible, given MS/Windows position in the respective market.

  • bravo9zero #53 3 years ago

    @ Pirotic

    I think HOME Is a little bit harder to develop than a simple Mii clone...I mean Avatar system.
    I mean all you can do with the avatars Is put clothes on them..Not Exactly going to take years of development Is It.

    HOME Is a living breathing world you walk around In.

  • damo365 #54 3 years ago

    Living and breathing you say....., (where!?) AND you even get to WALK around...., sounds super, can't wait to try the Walking bit!!!

    As for Sony Pictures, who cares what the reason is, if we ever get Netflix or something similar when we are deemed worthy it might be worth showing an interest, as of right now, i'm sure the americans will suffer on with the rest of the Netflix service on NXE, brave little souls that they are.

  • cawley1 #55 3 years ago

    We have been here before - Sony persuing Connetix for it's Mac based PSone emulator (which it ultimately bought after three years of legal batles).
    The dumb thing was that unlike ROM based emulation, in the late 90's before CD burners were really affordable, had you bought Virtual Game Station you would have needed to buy real Playtation games to run on it, increasing the market and bringing in more revenue for Sony (even negating sales of loss making hardware), but instead it persued the company through the courts, getting injunctions and the like, had it got to Windows think of the extra cash Sony could have made...
    I would be amazed if we ever see any HD films from a Sony owned company on a rival system that can stream it, what would be the point of Blu then, and that is what this is all about...

  • canIdoyabombsforya #56 3 years ago

    I think I'll watch a UMD tonight, in celebration of how great Sony are.