Sony US signs Netflix deal for PS3

By Ellie Gibson Published 26 October, 2009

Service due to launch next month.

US PlayStation 3 owners will soon be able to access the Netflix library of movies and TV shows via their consoles.

The service is due to launch in November. It will be free to existing Netflix subscribers, who pay a monthly fee of $8.99.

Users will require a free "instant streaming Blu-ray disc", available to reserve now from the Netflix website. The disc takes advantage of BD-Live technology to access the internet and activate the Netflix interface on PS3.

In other words, once you've slipped the disc into the console you'll be able to stream content instantly. Titles are arranged by categories such as genre, new arrivals and personal preferences. You'll be able to add items to your download queue via the PS3, and via the Netflix website.

"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 boss 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."

It's also a bit of a win for Sony - up until now, only Xbox 360 owners could access Netflix movies via their consoles.

There's no word on whether a similiar deal is in the works for Europe.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (35) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • mcbi4kh2 #1 3 years ago

    Link is broke.

  • mkreku #2 3 years ago

    I thought Microsoft had some sort of exclusive deal with Netflix? Apparently I thought wrong.

  • grayn #3 3 years ago

    Presumably, that was a timed exclusive too.

  • NorUraeus #4 3 years ago

    Actually even though this is announced as a Netflix for PS3 deal, I get the impression from how its described working that it is actually Netflix for BD-Live, mean that this Netflix setup might work on any BD-Live enabled system. That said I think Kotaku had a story about a similar system in Japan for adult entertainment, and it mentioned that the PS3 was the only Blu-Ray player on the market which where actually capable of supporting these kind of things currently.

  • SeesThroughAll #5 3 years ago

    NorUraeus is right, it's not a Sony-specific deal: it's BD-Live streaming. Any latest generation Blu-Ray player will be able to stream movies.

  • DaDon123456 #6 3 years ago

    Go to http://www.netflix.com/NRDInfo/PS3 if link isnt working for you

  • Widge #7 3 years ago

    Yes, offering a range of services is a bad thing to do.

  • Charco #8 3 years ago

    Why pay a monthly fee when you can watch all these online for free anyway? Surely us PS3 owners are internet savvy enough to know this.

  • GamesConnoisseur #9 3 years ago

    ^^

    ''Good Old Piracy' you mean?!

  • woodnotes #10 3 years ago

    So, you'd have to have the disc in to watch it? Rather than just accessing it from the media bar?

  • Widge #11 3 years ago

    Yeah, strange that. Kotaku spun it as a temporary solution until a BD free Netfix is patched in on a fw update. The disc needs to be present to deliver BDLive functionality.

  • zedzee #12 3 years ago

    And let me get this straight. NetFlix allows you to stream films, not the entire BR disc that contains all the extras and things like that, right?

  • Teamallstar #13 3 years ago

    It's unusual for the playstation 3 to gain a feature 12 months after the Xbox 360 and even more unusual that it is more complicated to use!

    It does seem strange that Sony would offer what is essentially the direct competitor to Blue Ray?!?

  • zedzee #14 3 years ago

    "As a leading game console..." Woah, watch it. You might cheese off your current partners with statements like that, as I'm sure they'd beg to differ!

  • SeesThroughAll #15 3 years ago

    It does seem strange that Sony would offer what is essentially the direct competitor to Blue Ray?!?

    Of course it is, they should just roll over and die along with Blu-Ray.

  • Chazmeister #16 3 years ago

    @zedzee

    Why would that cheese off MS, as the PS3 and 360 are obviously both market leaders? Now if they had said "As the leading game console...". Then yes they might be a bit pissed.

  • SeesThroughAll #17 3 years ago

    Why would that cheese off MS, as the PS3 and 360 are obviously both market leaders? Now if they had said "As the leading game console...". Then yes they might be a bit pissed.

    Why are we trying to fool ourselves? It's not like either of them need any excuses for PR cock-waving.

  • bad09 #18 3 years ago

    "It does seem strange that Sony would offer what is essentially the direct competitor to Blue Ray?!? "

    Considering most blu is priced so no one can really afford it no, it's not strange at all.....

  • Widge #19 3 years ago

    £5 BR's where? I'll have some for that!

  • 52pickup #20 3 years ago

    It's another added feature for US PS3 users, more value for their money and no doubt another "bullet point" for Sony. I'm just happy Sony acknowledge a wider range of services, and are bringing them to the platform. A service like this for EU territories would be a plus in my book.

  • Erebu #21 3 years ago

    @donnie080208

    Yeah how could Sony offer DVD support on the PS3? Isn't BD the future?
    And what about the PSN Videostore? You are right! Stupid, arrogant and hypocritical Sony... /rolleyes
    Edited by Erebu at 26/10/09 @ 11:53

  • Buran #22 3 years ago

    @donnie080208: Netflix is mainly to current series, because usually doesn't be available until the end of the seasons, when the pack of all the chapters are released in DVD and Blu-Ray.

  • makeamazing #23 3 years ago

    I dont have much respect for digital movie download services at the moment, and as i am paying about £6-£12 per blu ray movie anyway, i would rather have it on disk... why would Sony do this, its simple, MS have it, and its a case of making sure they have comparable services where it matters. It would be stupid of Sony not to offer a service that is available on other platforms... otherwise wouldnt it be people complaining that Sony "Doesnt have Netflix" etc etc.

  • 52pickup #24 3 years ago

    It's all about choice. The freedom to choose what is convenient for the customer and what method of delivery they choose for thier movie experience. Saying why have Netflix when you have Blu-ray is like saying what is the point in other branded bread when all we need is Hovis bread. Sony are expanding their options and giving the consumer what they want, and no doubt giving them(Sony) another advantage over their competition.

  • davisorle #25 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 20:44:35 16-04-2012

  • Erebu #26 3 years ago

    @davisorle

    Innovation != paying for exclusivity

  • Collymilad #27 3 years ago

    "@ davisorle

    "Forcing you to buy a BR along with ur console for a pricepoint like the starting one is NOT an option"

    yeah your right, because sony forced all ps3 owners at gunpoint to buy one, i was marched down to my local argos on launch day by the sony gestapo, they made me pay £425 for a bluray equiped console when i could have bought a stand alone player for around £800 !

    of course its an option, if it seems a pointless add on to you then dont buy one, im sure many ( like myself ) actually welcomed the adition of blu ray in ps3 just as i did dvd in ps2, in fact it was a major point in me NOT getting a 360 and waiting for ps3, equally im sure many decided it was too much and opted for 360 instead,

    if anyone is considered forcing people to pay for something then consider that ms charge for online, expensive proprietry wireless adaptors and hard drives, not many options in that is there?"

    Way to miss the point.

    The point is, if it hadn't had a blu-ray drive it it, and consumers who, you know, wanted a PS3 for the GAMES - would have been able to get one probably about £100-£150 cheaper if it hadn't had blu-ray. So no, there wasn't a choice, his point was if you wanted the GAMES machine side of the PS3 you WERE forced to buy a blu-ray player too. The fact remains you could still get a HDD equipped 360 (wireless is not a necessity for most ppl and you know it) for far less than the PS3 cost up until very recently.

  • callum9999 #28 3 years ago

    The article says there is no word whether its coming to Europe. Does this service (for the PC) actually exist anywhere in Europe. I've never heard of one here, which if thats the case, its not coming anytime soon (and you can't blame Sony this time!).

  • irve77 #29 3 years ago

    It seems a little fiddly ... but it's a very bitter person that wants to keep features and services exclusive to their console. Share the love i say

    I doubt i will make use of thiseven if it were in the UK. I would prefer if they announced compatability with iplayer and 4od ... after all with a browser built it it's not exactly hard to allow the plug in now is it !!

  • JamieR #30 3 years ago

    In the US so when it coming to uk if ever

  • Erebu #31 3 years ago

    @JamieR

    2010

  • davisorle #32 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 20:44:35 16-04-2012

  • Badassbab #33 3 years ago

    Do Sony always copy? Can't they think of something else (that doesn't sound like a wii mote). How about Sky TV. Oh wait....

  • 3william56 #34 3 years ago

    ... because Microsoft invented the game console. And the computer game. And the interweb... Oh wait... Yawn.

    Nice news, though not earth shaking. The internet infrastructure for most of us is still way off the point where even Netflix can compete with physical media or broadcast media for HD quality and convenience, even at BluRay prices. Choice is good - pay the BluRay cost for stuff where quality is important, TV and PVR for stuff where the broadcast schedule is convenient, DVD or Netflix or Blockbuster for the rest. Everyone wins.

    Will be happy if and when it launches here, but not convinced there's enough I want to watch to warrant the subscription.

    Curious - although it's nominally US only, can one of the IP address faking gizmos get you access (even on PC or 360)? Or, hell, even just logging in using a good old fashioned US PSN ID if a handy American can send over the disc? Would be nice...

  • Quixz #35 3 years ago

    Come on Microsoft GIVE US BBC IPLAYER. thank you :)