As many heard the other day Netflix will finally be streaming to the PS3 gaming console. What many didn’t hear is that streaming Netflix to the PS3 wont be done through an application on the XMB menu system, but instead will be using BD Live through a special Blu-Ray Disc to stream content. The interesting part is that this may be due to a loophole in Microsoft’s Netflix exclusivity deal. Hit the jump for more details…
Yes Netflix will be coming to the PS3, but how when Microsoft have claimed they have exclusivity? Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities, everyone’s favorite video game industry analyst, claims that this workaround avoids violating Netflix and Microsoft’s exclusivity deal by streaming Netflix to the PS3 via BD Live.
Gamespot and Joystiq have contacted Netflix for more specifics and here are the main details:
- The PS3 application was developed internally by Netflix, with the help of the Sony team.
- The Netflix disc has to be inserted every time to access the Netflix service. It can’t be installed on the PS3 hard drive.
- You keep the disc forever.
- A disc-based streaming application was used because it was the fastest and easiest way to implement streaming on the PS3.
- Late 2010, an embedded solution is expected for the PS3 via a system software update slated for release through the PlayStation Network.
- No special features will be available for streaming.
- There is no difference between the content catalog available on PS3 versus Xbox 360 and the PC, including high definition.
- No streaming-only subscription plan will be offered.
