Nintendo and Netflix have today announced an agreement to bring the Netflix Instant Queue’s streaming TV and movies to the Wii this spring.
Unlike Netflix on Xbox LIVE, the Wii will not require an additional subscription service; all a user needs is a Netflix subscription (minimum $8.95/month), a Wii, and a broadband Internet connection. The service will not be a downloadable channel from WiiWare; users must request a free Instant Streaming Disc from Netflix instead.
However, as the Wii does not output HD, it should be noted that Netflix’s growing library of on-demand HD movies will be streamed in standard definition. This differs from the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 implementations of Netflix, which offer HD streaming.
As streaming media becomes increasingly popular, and more viewers come to rely on it for the majority of their entertainment, it’s not surprising to see streaming become easier and more accessible by the day. Opening their Instant Queue service to the Wii allows Netflix to reach a broad audience that is currently unserved by the company’s popular streaming capabilities.
The sheer popularity of the Wii combined with the ease of setup means that nearly every home theater in the country will soon be outfitted with the capacity to stream Netflix. And for those without Wiis, the price tag is still more attractive than the other consoles of its generation.
“Our goal is to offer Netflix members as many ways as possible to watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix right to their TVs and to give non-members more and compelling reasons to consider the service,” said Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings. “Joining forces with Nintendo, which has been so immensely popular with consumers since its introduction, is a very meaningful step in that direction.”
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