Netflix Streaming will be available in November to 9 million PS3 users (Netflix subscription required). A streaming disc will be required, and is available free to Netflix customers.
“The PlayStation 3 system has always been about more than just gaming, and it will soon be the only platform in the industry to offer consumers such a variety of convenient options for enjoying movies and TV shows,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. “Whether you want to watch content on Blu-ray disc and DVD, download it from the PlayStation Network’s video delivery service, or stream videos instantly from Netflix, the PS3 system is the only solution that offers it all.”
“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 and co-founder 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.”
You can reserve your PS3 disc online http://www.netflix.com/ps3.
Thanks to Mason, David & Matt for sending this in.
I should have put money on it (in this fairytale land I've created in my mind where real events are bet on). I called it a few days ago :(
Posted by: twitter.com/MCWHAMMER | October 26, 2009 at 08:12 AM
im curious to see if you always have to pop in the netflix disc to play WI movies... that would suck... But if its an intall disc and the whole thing is free, that would be pretty awesome... i love the netflix queue on the 360... i wonder how similar they would be...
Posted by: andyg8180 | October 26, 2009 at 08:43 AM
this is great news! I'm also curious about the disc...
Posted by: bill | October 26, 2009 at 08:46 AM
Of course...of the three current gen consoles, the only one I own is the only one that you can't watch Netflix on. And it's not looking likely that this will change. Oy.
Posted by: bob | October 26, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Could someone please explain what the disc is for? Is it for a one-time install of the streaming app, or will I need to put it in every time I want to watch Netflix?
Posted by: Dan Dalessio | October 26, 2009 at 09:47 AM
What exciting news!
Looks like I won't need to renew my XBox Live membership for another year, just so I can watch Netflix.
Since it's a separate disc, hopefully we can reasonably assume that it will start off somewhat flashy. The initial version on the XBox was nice, but... lacked a lot of features (which they fixed in a recent patch: new titles, listings of various categories, etc).
I'm also surprised at the quick announcement/release date turnaround. And the freeness of it. Well done!
Also, found over at the PS blog:
"nitially, watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system will be enabled by a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc that is being made available to all Netflix members. The free instant streaming disc leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live™ technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, which must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Netflix members simply slide the disc into their PS3 systems to reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. These titles are conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members’ personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members’ individual instant Queues. Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues. With the PS3 system’s Wireless Controller, members can choose a movie to watch from their instant Queues or just play directly from any of the lists. They also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream via the Wireless Controller."
Sounds like you'll need the disc.
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/10/netflix-coming-soon-to-playstation-3/
Posted by: Taylor | October 26, 2009 at 09:59 AM
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Posted by: Sarah Danes | October 26, 2009 at 11:24 AM
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Posted by: Sarah Danes | October 26, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Also, in the Netflix Help/FAQ's area, if you just search for PS3, there's a few more answers that give you an idea of what PS3 streaming will be like.
Can't wait to get my Blu-ray in the mail... & see which interface I'll prefer - PS3 or Roku :)
Posted by: Matthew Watts | October 26, 2009 at 11:56 AM
You have to insert the disc for Watch Instantly? It's like Sony's going back to 1995 and dongles.
Posted by: Quill | October 26, 2009 at 12:48 PM
I suppose it's either get the disc for access immediately, or wait for Sony to create the XMB interface. Personally, I'd rather be able to utilize the service sooner, as opposed to later.
Besides, the disc may eventually open up the service to all blu-ray players with BDLive.
Posted by: mndtrp | October 26, 2009 at 01:03 PM
Finally! I have been waiting for this to happen. I really don't understand the need for the disc. Surely the software itself can't be a very big download?
Posted by: CopaceticOpus | October 26, 2009 at 02:49 PM
can't wait to upload contents of the dvd onto the 'net for all my friends.
Posted by: myDongle | October 26, 2009 at 04:26 PM
You will need to disc each and every time you want to watch Netflix on PS3
Posted by: Larry Dallas | October 26, 2009 at 05:03 PM
As stated above, you'll need the disc until Sony develops and distributes a firmware update.
Posted by: Mason | October 26, 2009 at 05:43 PM
Why no PS2 support ?
Posted by: shetaan819 | October 26, 2009 at 07:46 PM
Are people really complaining that they'll have to insert a free disc to watch a movie?
Posted by: Mr. Nethead | October 26, 2009 at 08:08 PM
OK here's the thing. The disc is a hack around the exclusivity agreement that Netflix has with Microsoft. This allows them to get their content through to the PS3 owners while they work on a more permanent solution for the time their agreement with the Xbox 360 ends.
What really intrigues me is that Engadget made it sound like this is basically a BD-Live enabled disc. If that's really the case couldn't it be used on any BD-Live enabled Blu-ray player? BD-Live is designed to pull video and other content from the 'net anyway, so I have to wonder...
Posted by: Isaac Church | October 26, 2009 at 10:09 PM
...can't wait to upload contents of the dvd onto the 'net for all my friends.
Good luck ripping a Blu-ray disc. And what would be the point, anyway?! It's a free disc, moron.
Posted by: twitter.com/MCWHAMMER | October 26, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Doesn't look like you can use this disc with other BD-Live players. I just plugged my beta disc into a BD player; the app started, but immediately told me it could not connect to the internet (my BD player is happily on-line)
Posted by: RandomGuy | October 27, 2009 at 12:50 AM
can the dsic be put on a regular dvd-r my ps3 will not read blue ray
but it will read dvd-r i bought another ps3 but would like to use my old one to stream net flix movies
Posted by: Carlton Armstead | July 09, 2010 at 01:22 AM