Netflix Streaming Coming To PS3 This Year

Sony and Netflix have announced plans to deliver Netflix's instant streaming service, which allows users to watch a gang of TV and movies over the Internet, to the PlayStation 3. The PS3 will gain support for the feature later this year, and in addition to a Netflix subscription, it will also require the use of disc-based software, which will launch the Netflix interface. Or, at least, it will "initially" require use of a disc, according to the released information, which makes it sound like the feature could be integrated directly into the PlayStation 3 at a later date.

Netflix is making the discs available for free to its members, and those wishing to get on the list for a disc as soon as they're available can do so now at www.netflix.com/ps3.

This levels the playing field a bit more between the PS3 and the Xbox 360, which has had built-in support for Netflix subscribers for quite awhile now. Of course, the key difference is that on the 360, you need a paid Xbox Live Gold account on top of your Netflix subscription, whereas it will be freely available on the PS3 to anyone with a PSN account and, you know, Internet access.

It sort of makes you wonder if Microsoft will blink and decide to move Netflix to the Silver side of the wall. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say naaah. Unless the PS3 absolutely catches fire and continues outselling the 360 month after month, Microsoft probably feels like it's in a fairly safe position. OK, that last sentence makes me feel like some sort of analyst-type guy. Like I'm wearing a suit. I've got to get out of these clothes before I turn into a computer!

Oh, and in a related story, I've spent the last several hours playing Uncharted 2 and DAMNTHATGAMEISGOOD.