Rumor: Netflix's new partnerships to include the 360

by Dustin Burg { Apr 23rd 2008 at 11:30AM }

In news that's heavily saturated in rumor oil (trans fat free though, don't worry) and is probably a huge stretch even for a rumor, Netflix recently announced that they've entered into three new partnerships that will "let subscribers watch films streamed directly from the Web to TVs". Three new partnerships that are all said to be with major companies. Three new partnerships that they are keeping secret and will announce soon. You see where we're going with this?

It has been no secret that Netflix has been kicking around the idea of using the Xbox 360 to grow its subscription service and their announcement of three new partnerships could ultimately lead to Microsoft being one. But, like we said, this is a huge stretch. Microsoft already has a lot invested in the current Video Marketplace setup and the addition of Netflix would throw a huge wrench into things. That is unless there's piles of cash to be made ... so, maybe?

[Thanks, Greg Lawson]

Tags: netflix, rumor, video-marketplace, xblm, xbox-360, xbvm

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Ejab @ Apr 23rd 2008 11:55AM

Thats a stupid decision by MS why use netflix, do you want xblvm to fail?

Mike @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:05PM

Hasn't already failed?

Jonah Falcon @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:44PM

No. It's doing quite well.

Keep in mind, there's a BIG difference between DOWNLOADING/BUYING videos (XBLM) and STREAMING videos (Netflix).

Sean @ Apr 23rd 2008 1:00PM

Except you forget how a business thinks...

Microsoft will no doubt get a recurring revenue stream of a couple bucks per user per month. Since this is a subscription, they can count on this revenue every quarter vs. having to suffer the ups and downs of buying decisions based on games or movies that may or may not be a hit in the market place.

It's the same reason why they love the gold subscriptions. They recognize that revenue over the entire course of the year showing a solid revenue base they can build on top of.

Perno @ Apr 23rd 2008 1:06PM

@Jonah Falcon: Yeah it's doing quite well for a niche market, but I'd imagine MS would much rather have my wife say "Hey check the 360 Marketplace for [insert latest romantic comedy rental here]" instead of going over to Blockbuster. Right now they have Xbox 360-level success...they would like Wii-level success.

I welcome Netflix with open arms.

Jeff Tronti @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:03PM

There is the chance Microsoft will see some profit sharing on this deal. Lets face it. The XLM just dosn't have the content. If PS3 is going to do something like this then XBOX needs to as well or it is just one more bullet point for buying a PS3.

icedemon @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:12PM

I look at more along lines of not having to dl big hd movies. Yeah you can start watching them when they get to certain point but I just want to pick the movie and start watching ala Comast On Demand.

Jayslacks @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:32PM

I'd sign up for it. And, deep down, you know you would too.

O @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:33PM

Here's some more Netflix surveys that a friend who works with Netflix sent to me:

Survey 1 - Netflix Subscribers.
Please take this survey if you personally subscribe (you pay the bill) to Netflix or have subscribed in the past year.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=88UlTZMfxrU3BFEBljWNAA_3d_3d

Survey 2 - Video Gamers and Non Netflix Subscribers.
Please take this survey only if you are (a) a non-Netflix subscriber AND (b) a person who has rented or purchased a video game in the past year.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=prY8f4U1aWU04O07_2bBnhew_3d_3d

JSBeckerist @ Apr 23rd 2008 3:28PM

An "official survey" with grammar like "What is YOU sex?"

...really?

Jonah Falcon @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:44PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2156/2361845566_7d1513bf7a.jpg?v=0

Homer 918 @ Apr 23rd 2008 1:35PM

If the prices were more reasonable that what MS is offering Canadians I would be all over it.

Odog4ever @ Apr 23rd 2008 1:42PM

I think the XBLM audience and the Netflix audience are two separate markets (with slight over lap of course, which I am apart of).

There are people who will never consider downloading a movie from XBLM that have Netflix accounts. I think Microsoft would rather get some profit sharing from these subscribers than no money at all.

If XBLM's hook is HD movies and Netflix just streams standard def. movies that would be the perfect fit. You would use the Netflix stream when you want to watch a movie quickly, like tonight. Then you could plan ahead to purchase that special effects epic in HD from XBLM.

Because speaking from personal experience downloading a HD movie from XBLM took a couple of hours and I have cable internet. I don't even want to think about how long it must take to download a HD movie from a DSL connection!

Mighty Healthy @ Apr 23rd 2008 2:27PM

Bring on the streaming, I say!

I believe the three partnerships are XBLM, Amazon's Unbox, and iTunes.

BowserUSC @ Apr 24th 2008 12:58AM

I think the three partnerships are with MS, Sony, and Nintendo.

guttertalk @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:11PM

Considering that the 360 doesn't have a web browser, this would mean some customized, limited link to the Netflix site. [Just a note that the Wii has a web browser, which the BBC recently accomodated with Wii-friendly streaming video.]

I'm thinking there's a good chance we'll end up paying for streaming video that we already get for free from Netflix.

LG Evil Pabsi @ Apr 23rd 2008 2:50PM

I like i idea..i know alot of people dont rent movies from live but i do and having netflix would help because the moveis would be out on day one instead of waiting a couple of weeks or so..i rather download a movie instead of driving to hollywood video..oh by the way gas prices are crazy

chris @ Apr 23rd 2008 3:16PM

As a Netflix guy who never watches "watch now" because the damn thing is on my computer - I welcome it! 100x I welcome it!

(btw - I wouldn't ever buy/rent a movie from MS. MS points and all that crap, to much work. . )

Also, Microsoft already allows you to watch UNBOX movies on your Xbox 360 which is competitor to Xbox Live's movies. (via Xbox360 doing duty as a media extender)

horngreen @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:17PM

I would use it as the crap they offer on Marketplace isn't my cup-o-tea. They only offer new movies and they are mostly movies 12 year old boys would watch, or 40 year old virgins. (Spiderman 3/Transformers/Some crappy Wil ferrel movie). That and all the old movies they have are mostly god awful or some horror flick I've never heard of. Having access to Netflix huge library would be cool. Now the uncool part is what MS will charge.