Netflix expanding console streaming to 'variety of platforms'

Xbox 360-streaming film-rental giant looking for "Engineering Leader--Gaming Platforms" to "rapidly" expand services to multiple consoles.

Since it went online as part of last November's New Xbox Experience, Netflix's Xbox 360 video-streaming service has seen more than 1 million people sign up. That number is made even more impressive by the fact the Los Gatos, California-based company--best known for its mail-based DVD rental and PC streaming service--has only 10 million subscribers in total.

Coming soon to a(nother) console near you?

Now, it appears that Netflix is looking to expand its presence in the gaming space even further. According to a job listing on its Web site, Netflix is looking to hire an "Engineering Leader--Gaming Platforms" to direct "a small technology team to rapidly prototype and iterate on a variety of platforms." (Emphasis added.)

Though it never names a console in particular, the listing repeatedly emphasizes that Netflix wants to work on multiple gaming devices. "The gaming platforms team is...tasked with bringing the latest generation of movie discovery and delivery technology to the gaming console platforms our growing subscribers use every day," reads the job description.

Though Netflix reps did not immediately return requests for clarification as to which platforms it is working on, its listing underlines that the company wants applicants with "experience with digital media on embedded platforms...ideally on one or more gaming consoles."

The most obvious suspect for Netflix's next video-streaming endeavor is the PlayStation 3, which already digitally distributes movies and television shows for rental and purchase. The Wii is also a faint possibility, considering that Nintendo will launch a video service for the popular console in Japan later this year. That said, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata declared last week that any Wii video service would be "different" than those of its competitors.

152 Comments

  • JACKAL1883

    Posted Apr 21, 2009 5:58 am PT

    @malco vincenzo K3B / yellow dog / H264 / AVC / all things that make netflix worth the money & convenient!!!!

  • ronnet

    Posted Apr 20, 2009 10:37 am PT

    Extra services are always good for a console as it helps shape the compleet package. I know some people who got the 360 because of it's MSn Messenger capabilities in combination with the game archive. I think Sony and Microsoft should be aiming at an ''entertainment'' system ticket instead of that of a videoconsole in the next generation. Having as much as these services as possible woudl help so with a bit of luck too Sony can add these movies to it's archive.

  • Dynamo11

    Posted Apr 20, 2009 9:50 am PT

    They should focus on getting it to international consoles rather than just finding new AMERICAN consoles to operate on. Or at least they could get LOVEFiLM, their British sister company, for us Brits. As far as I know they still haven't got it in France, Germany etc.

  • Fed__X

    Posted Apr 19, 2009 3:49 pm PT

    Wow like not having Netflix is a major blow to the PS3.

  • Malco_Vincenzo

    Posted Apr 19, 2009 10:57 am PT

    @ Tora Kuo

    how many of these 100,000 movies are good? how many movies are you gonna download to your console? how many movies is someone gonna watch off of netflix? im sorry i'd i have a life outside of my console. i'd rather have my space used on the games I buy.
    and i've reasearched what you told me to. XBL gold is $60. with that i could watch 6 movies or rent 30 movies at the store where I rent. netflix on the 360 from what you said is $9.99. thats a movie for me. and as for convenience, if i really wanted to i could just download movies anytime for free. so if i'm right based on the 9.99 that YOU said netflix costs and the $60 a year that gold XBL costs. four months of netflix on the 360 would could already $100. either way convienience should'nt have to cost you. if it's more convenient for you to spend money to watch movies on your game sytem then by all means go ahead. i'll keep my money and torrent, because sitting in my chair and burning movies seems a lot more convenient than spending money i work for on rentals. i'd also rather get a large groups of friends together to watch a movie cause nothing can replace the feel of the big screen. next thing you know you're gonna say that food is more convenient to get from your console as well.

  • Tora_Kuo

    Posted Apr 19, 2009 8:00 am PT

    @Malco_Vincenzo


    You must have a narrow view of what's worth watching. There are 100,000 movies and show compilations on Netflix dude.


    Research X-box live gold and net-flicks and do the math, and you'll figure out it's not as expensive as you seem to think it is.


    It's really not that hard to get your facts straight before going off like a loon at people about how stupid and/or lazy they are.
    Calling people lazy because they prefer the convenience is just plain asinine.

  • Malco_Vincenzo

    Posted Apr 18, 2009 4:33 pm PT

    @ Tora_Kuo
    also i've been told theat the nextflix movies that are worth watching are few in selection.
    paying 9.99 a month for a few good movies is a rip off. Theirs what you call convienience and what I call paying for movies i could either rent or download.

  • Malco_Vincenzo

    Posted Apr 18, 2009 4:28 pm PT

    @ Tora_Kuo

    dude number one I walk to the video store and number two the store charges me $4.99 for a week for a new release. It's a privatly owned store. It;s got a great selection and it's still cheaper than paying 9.99 a month. plus don't you have to pay $60 for XBL first? besides having friends that pirate movies is always free.

  • ZookGuy

    Posted Apr 18, 2009 12:38 pm PT

    If it does end up on the Wii, I wanna put my Miis face on the characters (I would never look at Kubrick the same if I put my Dick Cheney Mii on Dr. Strangelove)! It might also be nice for a PiP (though not necessarily nice for most people and most likely would be done horribly) so I could listen to The Office while playing Zelda or Mega Man 9 or something.

  • Tora_Kuo

    Posted Apr 18, 2009 4:48 am PT

    @Malco_Vincenzo: On what planet do you live that anyone pays $17 a month for netflix? It's $9.99 (common knowledge). Genius. Plus, no late fees, keep as long as you want (unlike rentals), and you get HD movies too when you get them streamed to your PC or as gnrlstuart said "HD 24 hour rentals". You do realize that you're actually paying more than your so-called $5 to rent a movie right? Add to that fuel to drive there, (unless you're walking, riding a bike, skateboard, magically teleport) and your cost just rose to $6 and then of course, there's ALWAYS taxes... Good ole taxes... Where as with netflix, it's a service... No tax... :-) No fuel costs... No going to a store that's badly organized, might not have what you're looking for, wasting 2 hours of your life searching for a title they don't even have... Just place order, watch. Not laziness... Convenience... Look it up... It's a good word to know.
    /
    On to better things and the topic at hand: Good for Netflix. I hope they get PS3 on board, and Nintendo, well, they can make the mistake of staying in house, that's fine, but it won't help them sell any systems and it's probably going to suck anyway. Nintendo isn't a movie fulfillment house like Netflix, so their service will certainly be different. Sparse, low bandwidth, dusty like a ghost town. I just hope that Sony realizes that making this move is going to position them better against MS in the console wars... No, not starting a console war, just saying there already is one. Sony needs to catch up, and it'll take one advantage that Xbox has away from Xbox, which is the streaming movie advantage. And then PS3 will still have the blu-ray advantage. But regardless of what advantage each box has, that's definitely good for movie lovers who own PS3's, it's good for Netflix, as they'll be able to expand their client base and their company capacity, and it'll probably open up more jobs too, so good for them.

  • gnrlstuart

    Posted Apr 17, 2009 11:16 pm PT

    ''differerent'' meaning substandard, consisting of low res trailers and first party game footage.
    However netflix on ps3 sounds great. although, HD, 24 hour rentals would be nicer than low-res streams.

  • Malco_Vincenzo

    Posted Apr 17, 2009 9:46 pm PT

    @ JACKAL1883
    ya i'm stupid and people spend $17 a month on movie programs.
    good one genius.

  • nappan

    Posted Apr 17, 2009 7:39 pm PT

    Netflix doesn't have it perfectly down yet, but it is still a great service. I love it on the 360, and I don't see anything bad about everyone else getting a crack at it. That will let Netflix make more titles available, and upgrade speeds, etc... It's a win-win.

  • mesc420

    Posted Apr 17, 2009 6:33 pm PT

    Netflix is cool on 360, but the number of instantly available movies that are even worth watching is quite small.

  • ZookGuy

    Posted Apr 17, 2009 5:07 pm PT

    DSi! DSi! DSi!

    Seriously, it would be awesome, though unlikely.

  • Somebody89

    Posted Apr 17, 2009 2:33 pm PT

    Cool let more people have it. I absolutely love netflix.

  • wiiplay1

    Posted Apr 17, 2009 1:11 pm PT

    I hope it comes to the Wii.

  • lewis2112

    Posted Apr 17, 2009 12:26 pm PT

    maybe they should work on getting netflix or similar in other countries first?. id love to see lovefilm (uk equivalent) to get into this for the uk marketplace

  • JACKAL1883

    Posted Apr 17, 2009 7:45 am PT

    @ Malco_Vincenzo
    did you just post that to prove your stupidity

  • JACKAL1883

    Posted Apr 17, 2009 7:28 am PT

    I really hope the PS3 gets the option for watch instantly!!!!
    right now i have an extra computer hooked up to the tv for watch instantly. The netflix watch instantly doesn't support HD on the PC. So only netflix certified devices have the HD option for watch instantly. I think they don't want to support the old crappy computers out there that would call and complain when they can't stream HD. anyway I hope the PS3 will let in another player into the mix that might cut in on there video service profits.

  • Malco_Vincenzo

    Posted Apr 17, 2009 6:26 am PT

    i buy a console to game not watch movies.
    if i wanna rent movies i go to the video store and spend $5.
    if i wanna watch a new movie i spend $10 at the theater.
    i won't spend $17 bucks a month be a lazy fat ass.
    i'd rather see a movie with friends for cheaper than be the loser that gets ripped off.

  • crsx

    Posted Apr 16, 2009 9:21 pm PT

    What I really want is for Netflix to merge or buy a majority of Gamefly's company so they can use Netflix's shipping facilities. I hate waiting for a game that comes from all the way in the East Coast.

  • Max1363

    Posted Apr 16, 2009 3:13 pm PT

    loooooool get lsot fanboys like i said there will be no PS3 or Wii http://www.neowin.net/news/gamers/09/04/16/netflix-exclusive-to-xbox-360-for-now
    ONLY ON XBOX 360 THIS GEN
    looool

  • KieranCottrell

    Posted Apr 16, 2009 7:57 am PT

    Don't count your chickens, enoslives7.
    (What a strange sentence.)

  • akiwak

    Posted Apr 15, 2009 10:40 pm PT

    This is less about SONY and PS3 and more about Netflix wanting to expand!!!

  • enoslives7

    Posted Apr 15, 2009 11:15 am PT

    The PS3 has finally gotten on track....Looks like Sony is poised to dominate another generation.

  • BlueFlameBat

    Posted Apr 15, 2009 10:11 am PT

    athenian29, you're making assumptions about other people. I've done it myself and got the same reactions. Just because you're free to post something doesn't mean people have to like it. How much you wanna bet my message about Nintendo being a control freak will be given at least five thumbs down if it's rated at all?

    Oh, I guess I just made another assumption. My bad.

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Apr 15, 2009 8:36 am PT

    @Cabal23: that may be, but it's a great service IMO. I actually enjoy the additional option to go to the store and will be disappointed if/when it's gone.

    Netflix trumps blockbuster when it comes to advertising. Netfilx is everywhere. Not enough people are aware of what Blockbuster has to offer in comparison because they think of them as the in-store movie rental place.

    I'll continue to support them until Netflix becomes more attractive or until Blockbuster is finally shut down.
    _

  • Truth_Hurts_U

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 5:40 pm PT

    They should work on their interface. Not worry about getting to other platforms right now.

    I hate having to scroll through over 150 movies to get to the end.

    Also where is my zoom feature?

  • spasticus162

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 4:16 pm PT

    Hows about bloody Netflix or uk equivalent Lovefilm in uk for christ sakes.

  • Zidaneski

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 3:50 pm PT

    C'mon, I hope it comes on the PSP. I would say the PS3 but my family already gets blu-rays from Netflix so it wouldn't be that much better if it was on the PS3.

  • jtthegame316

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 3:19 pm PT

    make it availble in the uk

  • Cabal23

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 1:36 pm PT

    PS3 offers nothing where you can watch unlimited films for one low price. Both systems have the movies you can pay to watch individually for price, but only 360/netflix viewing device will let you watch the entire instant view library of netflix for as low as $9.99. As we have said multiple times blockbuster might be bankrupt by the end of the week so don't count on much from them. My advice is for them to get rid of the stores and mimic what netflix is doing. The stores are a drain on the company clearly or they wouldn't be in a nosedive right now. Oh and the winner will be the service that starts renting porn through the mail, because we all know everyone loves porn!

  • darthfrag

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 12:11 pm PT

    What I'd really like to see is Netflix streaming through my iPhone 3G, and to a lesser extent, my PSP. Having access to all that streaming video while I'm out and about would be outstanding.

  • big-boss-91

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 12:03 pm PT

    Maybe PS3 need to either team up with Blockbuster or filmfour
    PC already got plenty like Itunes, Samsung Films, Amazon ect ect

  • EmptySki

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 11:56 am PT

    Doesn't PS3 have a video/rental thing in PSN. Why do they need Netflix? Maybe netflix really wants to expand their services.

  • broncosfan

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 11:48 am PT

    I would prefer Sony team up with Blockbuster instead just because I prefer that service. I like all of the options that Blockbuster provides. I mean, you can rent GAMES with your service. That combines Netflix and Gamefly, then adds the option to go to the store for more entertainment while you wait.
    ---
    I will never do business with Blockbuster, after they shammed over customers with unlimited in-store accounts. I had the unlimited account up until they got rid of those, in favor of the online accounts (technically they didn't get rid of them, just made them to where they weren't really unlimited and upped the price to almost 30 bucks). They "declined" my credit card a mere two months after making this change, although I had plenty of funds and my address, cvv2 code, etc, were all good between my bank and the account with Blockbuster, and then said they could rerun my card but I'd be upgraded to the new account type (I was grandfathered in but they said because my card "declined" that I was no longer grandfathered in). Of course they did this on purpose to convert accounts over, although I wouldn't want to waste the time and resources to either fight it or sue them, but those sort of actions really made me look to other avenues. Then I checked out Netflix, and haven't looked back. Much better rates, quick shipment and great customer service make Netflix a far better service than Blockbuster could ever hope to be. Their selection is far better, which is just icing on the cake.

  • broncosfan

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 11:42 am PT

    Why are they focusing on moving onto other consoles already? They're not done on the 360 yet, the UK doesn't have access to Net Flix yet and nor does anywhere except the US. They really have to pull their finger out and get this sorted, they can't just leave a job half finished and move on.
    ---
    Because not all of us with Netflix Memberships have an XBox 360, duh. I've been a member of Netflix longer than I have owned any current gen console, and having a PS3, I would love to be able to get my instant view stuff straight from my Playstation.

  • rolo107

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 11:30 am PT

    jojobubba, my TV is 52" and it looks just fine. So obviously it has to be something to do with your connection. And video quality is reliant on connection quality, so clearly when it is checking for video quality, it would be checking for your connection quality also. Don't be ignorant.

  • jolsen

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 11:25 am PT

    I've enjoyed Netflix on the Xbox, though to be honest it's been better for old TV shows than movies. The movie selection is limited to either stuff I've already seen or movies I wouldn't want to see. Still a great service for any platform and a big reason I've not darkened the door of blockbuster for many months.

  • jojobubba

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 11:22 am PT

    Some have said that my internet connection is the problem, but that's not the case. The output of the image is intended for small computer screens, so when I watch on my 14" computer, it looks okay. When I watch on my Xbox on a 50" screen, it looks terrible. I am not a hack who doesn't know anything about computers or connections. Besides, the message actually says that it is checking for 'video quality', not 'connection quality'.

  • dkidfrmdbx

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 11:08 am PT

    whats the damn problem? why is it everyone has to hate? I believe that this will be great for everyone and will be convinient for gamers who dont have a 360(i have one im not bashing microsoft). wasnt the PS3 made to do things like stream over the internet? please find another hobby fanboys your comments are not needed

  • Cabal23

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 11:08 am PT

    @Hvac,

    Hate to be the bearer of bad news but check this out.

    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i06a4ef578658ad3924caf1e35cfd77eb), Blockbuster is in a rapid decline, which I doubt they will pull out of. All the things other than streaming, they have been doing and it hasn't seemed to help. As a member of Netflix, I have yet to be disappointed or felt the need to go into a store and buy anything or rent anything. If I want used games I will go on ebay or Gamestop. I don't feel any sympathy because I remember when they were going around buying up every mom and pop video store in the area. Remeber .99 cent movie rentals? If you are as old as me you will. Right after the aggressive takeover of every mom and pop store prices on movie rentals went up drastically once all the competition was gone. The future is streaming/DL movies. If they want to stay current they better get on board and get rid of their stores pronto. Personally I think Netflix has a much more sustainable future with no stores and centrally located shipping centers, which mean a one to two day turn around on movies you send back to them.. Just wait until they get into video games.

  • Beamish1990

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 10:49 am PT

    Why are they focusing on moving onto other consoles already? They're not done on the 360 yet, the UK doesn't have access to Net Flix yet and nor does anywhere except the US. They really have to pull their finger out and get this sorted, they can't just leave a job half finished and move on.

  • BigDaddy973

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 10:24 am PT

    Thats good news or them!

  • makemeweak

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 9:22 am PT

    Netflix on the PS3 would be good for everyone, because then Sony would have to let Netflix license more of their movies for streaming. PS3 would be a good platform for it since the cell processor was primarily designed for video streaming and codec functions.

  • boxofwit

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 9:21 am PT

    How about they make it available in the UK?

  • Cl0ud posted Apr 14, 2009 9:17 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Cl0ud

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 9:17 am PT (hide)

    bad idea ps3 and wii suck mad D

  • chimairawr

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 9:08 am PT

    Anyone wonder whether this could be for PSP/DSi? Would be very interesting to see them try to go into the portables market...

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 8:33 am PT

    I have been Blockbuster Online for a while now. They are making a comeback with their streaming media, game rentals, in-store trade-ins, and mail delivery.

    I would prefer Sony team up with Blockbuster instead just because I prefer that service. I like all of the options that Blockbuster provides. I mean, you can rent GAMES with your service. That combines Netflix and Gamefly, then adds the option to go to the store for more entertainment while you wait.

    Netflix will have to compete in other areas than tackling my game consoles if they want me to make the switch. Plus, I've seen some awful videos streamed on 360's and I wouldn't want to downgrade from DVD's and Blu-rays to something like that. _

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