PS3 Netflix Streaming Confirmed For November Netflix PS3 Free for Netflix Members, Bang Goes Xbox's Apparent Netflix Exclusivity

Back in March we offered you a heads up concerning the PS3 being set to
offer Netflix streaming, regardless of the Xbox s billed exclusivity
(apparently the Xbox was to be the only gaming console to offer a
Netflix streaming), and now Sony have acted to officially confirm that
Netflix members will be able to access on demand content directly via
their Playstation 3 from November via a free streaming facility.
Billed as serving to further underpin the PS3 console as being �the
most complete home entertainment hub on the market today ย the service
is set to be initially offered courtesy of a a free, instant streaming
Blu-ray disc which will be offered up to Netflix members which will
serve to bring the Netflix user interface to the PS3 allowing users to
select and queue content that will be duly streamed via the PS3 s
WiFi/Ethernet connectivity.

At this juncture Sony aren t being any more specific than the service
becoming available from November PS3 owning Netflix members but if you
re especially keen to gain Netflix streaming functionality for your PS3
the moment it becomes available you can drop your sign up for updates
via this page.
Coming Soon: Netflix Members Can Instantly Watch Movies and TV Episodes
Streamed to TVs Via the PlayStation(R)3 Computer Entertainment System

With Movies Streamed Instantly from Netflix, Blu-ray/DVD Playback and
Downloadable Videos via the PlayStation(R)Network, the PlayStation 3
System Offers The Industry's Most Comprehensive Options for Watching
Movies and TV Shows

FOSTER CITY, Calif. and LOS GATOS, Calif., Oct. 26
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
(SCEA) and Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) today announced that they are
joining forces to make thousands of movies and TV episodes from Netflix
available to be streamed instantly to TVs via the PlayStationยฎ3
(PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system. Netflix expects to begin
streaming via the PS3 system next month at no additional cost to Netflix
members in the United States who have a PS3 system.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091026/SF98455)

Today's announcement pairs two of the most popular and fastest growing
home entertainment brands in the U.S. The PS3 system's installed base
has reached close to 9 million units in the United States, and Netflix
recently reported 11.1 million U.S. subscribers as of September 30.

The partnership further solidifies the PS3 system as the most complete
home entertainment hub on the market today, enabling consumers to play
high-definition games, watch Blu-ray movies, listen to music, view
photos, browse the Internet, and download content from
PlayStationยฎNetwork – from exclusive games to blockbuster movies
and popular TV shows. PS3 system owners will soon enjoy an unparalleled
experience watching their favorite movies and TV shows streamed
instantly from Netflix, downloading from the PlayStation Network or
watching Blu-ray/DVD media. The Netflix offering expands on the
entertainment experience delivered to PS3 system owners via PlayStation
Network.

For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited
movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers via Netflix
ready devices such as the PS3 system and can receive unlimited DVDs
delivered quickly to their homes.

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.

Initially, 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(TM) 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.

Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now reserve a free instant
streaming disc for PS3 systems by going to www.netflix.com/ps3. Upon
availability, the instant streaming disc will be delivered for free by
first-class mail, generally one business day after members request it.