CONSUMER
Netflix will stream movies on Xbox 360
15-07-2008
by The Register
Microsoft has scored a pact to stream a portion of Netflix's movie library on its game console online network.
About 10,000 movies and TV episodes will be available to rent from Netflix when it launches in late fall. The deal was announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
Streaming content will be "free" to Xbox Live Gold members who are also Netflix subscribers. Or rather -- customers won't be charged on top of paying for both premium services. Thank god for small favors.
Netflix has previously teamed up with Roku to sell set-top boxes that similarly allow subscribers to watch streamed movies. The company offers a streaming service, plus three-at-a-time DVDs, for Windows XP or Vista PCs from USD19.99 a month.
We'll note that Netflix CEO Reed Hastings also sits on Microsoft's board of directors, although he claims the dots should not be connected to the Xbox deal.
Anyway, the partnership is a good match for fighting Apple's movie renting service.
The Register and its contents are copyright 2008 Situation Publishing. Reprinted with permission.
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