Netflix interested in coming to Wii

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For the full screenshot, click here.  Currently, it is unknown why the thumbnail above shows $9.99 one-time fee, but the full screenshot shows $2.99.  So far, Joystiq has not commented on this.


According to an article, over at Joystiq, Netflix is at least interested in bringing their services to the Wii.  Hopefully, we see more in the future about this possibility.  I personally do not subscribe to Netflix, but something like this might make me change my mind.

Netflix may be looking to expanding their service beyond Xbox 360. According to a consumer survey mailed to a Joystiq reader, Netflix may provide their service to Wii owners. “Imagine that, as an added benefit to DVDs by mail, Netflix offers its members the ability to watch movies & TV episodes instantly on their TV via their Nintendo Wii, choosing from a library of over 12,000 choices.

According to the survey, the Netflix service will be enabled through a “Netflix Instant Streaming Disc.” The disc would need to be placed in the Wii every time someone wanted to use the Netflix service. Unlike Microsoft, it appears Nintendo will not bundle Netflix into an upcoming firmware.

The existence of this survey doesn’t necessarily mean Netflix support on Wii is confirmed. However, it does suggest the company has been investigating the possibilities. We’re certain Netflix is eager to tap into the millions of Nintendo fans ready to try the streaming movie service.

[Joystiq]

What do you think about this?  Would adding Netflix to Wii be a good move?  Would you move forward with the idea if you were Netflix or Nintendo?  Would this convince you to subscribe to Netflix if you do not already?  Please share below or in our forums by clicking here.



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  • http://robmerrera.wordpress.com Rob

    That would be a fantastic idea. Too bad I already have it on 360. It would be unprecedented to have netflix on wii before ps3.

  • http://wiinintendo.net/ hattrick

    I agree, Rob. The cool thing is that it looks like it’ll only involve a one time fee of either 2.99 or 9.99 instead of having to pay for a “Gold Membership” for online…all because Nintendo online is free.

  • shanoboy

    I wonder how that would work out? Wii doesn’t have much internal memory to cache or buffer streams.

    And since most all of us use Wii wirelessly, wouldn’t it be a bit of a stretch to stream movies of any kind of quality at all over a wireless connection?

    Streaming Xvids over my wireless network from one PC to another is kind of hit and miss at times, much less something in say, 720p over a net connection.

  • Me

    The disk could run like a gamecube disk. Where the Wii effectively becomes a gamecube. The system then could then use gamecube memory cards or the Wii SD cards and use them as cache.

    Anyone heard of the roku box from netflix? Does that have any way to store/buffer incoming streams? I would think the Wii is far more powerful than that box.

  • http://g chris

    i would definitly get this

  • http://www.wiinintendo.net/2009/03/20/netflix-interested-in-coming-to-wii/ Sarah H

    Netfilx being available for instant downloading on my Wii would DEFINITELY push me onto the scale of switching to Netflix! When are you going to do it?

  • Judy N

    I had switched to Net Flix thinking it was possible to view on any gaming device that was internet ready. Now that I know it isn’t Wii ready I am disappointed. I hope that this is fixed soon because, so far, I really love Net Flix. Having to run a cord from my computer to TV or toting my son’s 360 down stairs every time is tiring.