Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Netflix Streaming Coming to the PlayStation 3

Geoff Duncan
By

In late 2008, Netflix and Microsoft announced a deal to being Netflix streaming movies and content to Xbox Live customers: folks who paid $50 a year for an Xbox Live Gold membership and who also subscribed to Netflix could stream thousands of movies and television shows from Netflix to their televisions using the Xbox 360 console and their existing home broadband Internet connection. At the time, Microsoft described the deal as “exclusive,” and although Netflix has inked separate deals with the likes of TiVo and Sony (for its Bravia TVs), the Xbox 360 has remained the only game console offering Netflix streaming.

At least, until next month: that’s when the PlayStation 3 will gain Netflix streaming capability.

Netflix Instant Streaming coming to PlayStation 3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“The PlayStation 3 system has always been about more than just gaming, and it will soon be the only platform in the industry to offer consumers such a variety of convenient options for enjoying movies and TV shows,” said Cony Computer Entrainment America president and CEO Jack Tretton, in a statement. “Whether you want to watch content on Blu-ray disc and DVD, download it from the PlayStation Network’s video delivery service, or stream videos instantly from Netflix, the PS3 system is the only solution that offers it all.”

Recommended Videos

Sony plans to offer the Netflix streaming service at no additional charge to Netflix members by way of a special Blu-ray disc: Netflix users can sign up now to receive the disc once it’s available, but it’s something they’ll have to ask for: Netflix streaming capability won’t magically appear with the next PS3 firmware update. The Netflix Blu-ray disc will use BD-Live capabilities to access the Internet and download the Netflix user interface to the PS3 system. Needless to say, the PS3 will need to be connected to the Internet for any of this to work.

Related

Sony says the Netflix interface will automatically organize titles into categories based on member’s preferences; users will be able to manage their queues via either the Netflix Web site or the PS3, as well as control playback, rate movies, and read synopses.

Adding Netflix streaming capability to the PlayStation 3 may make the console more popular with consumers: it’s no secret that adding Netflix streaming to the Xbox 360 not only converted more Xbox 360 users to Xbox Live Gold membership, but also generated a significant uptick in Netflix subscriptions. If that kind of success can be replicated on the PlayStation 3, the console might find it’s no longer a reliable third-place finisher in video game console sales…and Netflix may be laughing all the way to the bank.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Geoff Duncan
Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
I was a PlayStation Portal hater. Now it’s one of my go-to gaming devices
A PlayStation Portal plays Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

In November, I reviewed the PlayStation Portal. I was mixed on Sony’s streaming handheld at the time, frustrated with a corner-cutting execution of a good idea. It seemed like a poor value compared to simply slapping a cheaper Backbone controller on a phone. As is often the case with tech reviews, though, I only had a short window to test it out where I was more focused on the more objective side of what the Portal does and doesn’t do. Would my feelings change when I was using it naturally?

I’ve gotten the answer to that question over the past few months. While I barely touched my Portal after reviewing it in 2023, it’s quickly become a go-to device in my home as of January. I’m now breaking it out at least once a week, finding some practical use cases for it. Though my overall assessment of it hasn’t changed, I have a more tangible understanding of where it can be a useful -- if superfluous -- PS5 companion. It’s a needless luxury, but one that I’m finding that I'm happy to indulge in.
Second screen
The PlayStation Portal’s launch just so happened to come right before a major life change that would shift my perspective. After living alone for three years, my girlfriend moved into my apartment last December. It’s been a natural change that’s working great so far. That shift does come with some lifestyle changes, though. We’re both crammed into a one-bedroom apartment, which means we’re sharing a tight space. We remotely do our jobs feet apart in the same room, and most evenings are spent lounging on the couch.

Read more
How to join the Sea of Thieves PS5 closed beta
How to defeat The Kraken in Sea of Thieves
Read more
PlayStation Spring Sale: best deals, how long is the sale, and more
PlayStation Spring Sale logo.

With the rise of all-digital consoles, more and more people are doing a majority of their game shopping on digital storefronts. For PlayStation 5 owners, whether you have a disk drive or not, you more than likely have at least a couple of games purchased from the PlayStation Store. The convenience of simply downloading a game and not having to worry about the disk is great, but you also can catch some amazing deals. The biggest sales events come seasonally, and the current Spring Sale is offering deep discounts of up to 90% on some of the biggest games on the platform. If you've been waiting to pick up one of the great games you missed earlier this year or in years past, now might be the best time to snag it for cheap!
When is the PlayStation Spring Sale 2024?
The PlayStation Spring Sale started on March 27, 2024, but new deals were added on April 10 that will last until April 24.

If any deal is exclusively for a PS5 version of a game that is also on PS4, we will note that beside the title. Since all PS4 games run on PS5, we won't mark PS4 games.
Best deals for the PlayStation Spring Sale
God of War Ragnarök Sony Interactive Entertainment

Read more