Streaming Netflix Through the Nintendo Wii

For those that have a Wii and a subscription to Netflix, here comes some good news. Finally, Netflix movies and TV shows will be streamed through the Wii. The Wii will become the last of the three game consoles to get the instant viewing capability. It is joining the PlayStation 3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360. It's also already available on the Roku digital video player, computers, some Blu-ray players and Internet-connected TV sets.

The PlayStation 3 works the same way as the Wii will, but Xbox 360 streaming is only available to Xbox Live Gold members, who pay $50 a year to play games online. The one difference for Wii seems to be that it won't support high-definition, which both the PS3 and Xbox do.

All Wii owners who have a broadband connection and have at least a $9 a month Netflix subscription will be able to enjoy this added feature with no extra charge. It is slated for release in the spring of 2010. Wii users will need a special disc supplied by Netflix, and will be able to use their Wii motion controller to access their account. The disc will look and operate the same way as a Wii game. Users will be able to choose a movie or TV show to watch from their Instant Queues or any of the lists. Also, they will be able to fast-forward, rewind, rate and read synopses.

According to Nintendo, there have been 26 million consoles sold through December in the U.S., making the Wii the most popular gaming console in the country. They sold over 3 million in December 2009 alone. Therefore, this gives Netflix potentially many more customers. And, Netflix can eventually cut its costs by having more customers stream rather than rent physical DVD's through the mail. As of Sept. 30, 2009, Netflix had 11.1 million U.S. subscribers.

Also, Netflix recently announced a deal with Warner Bros. Netflix agreed to delay renting new release DVD's for 28 days after they are released in stores, as Warner Bros. is hoping to increase DVD sales. In return they will make more titles available to Netflix customers for streaming.

You can preorder your instant streaming disc for Wii here. Netflix plans on delivering the discs free by first-class mail as soon as they are available this spring.

Sources:

Netflix.com

Yahoo.com