Netflix Announces Streaming Video for the PS3 Coming Next Month

Apparently the big announcement Netflix and Microsoft made about the Xbox 360 being the only console authorized to stream movies from Netflix wasn’t entirely true. Netflix must have been crossing their fingers behind their back when saying that because the company just announced streaming capabilities for the PS3.

So how did the “exclusive agreement” suddenly become so unexclusive?

It’s possible that there were plans to extend the Watch Instantly service to the PS3 from the beginning but it’s equally possible Netflix streaming is coming to the PlayStation via a loophole. Instead of having the Netflix Watch Instantly queue available from the PS3 version of the dashboard, users will have to access the service through a free Blu-ray disc that runs a sort of app on the machine that makes it all possible. Of course, we’ve heard Sony may release a firmware update later that makes the Blu-ray disc unnecessary, so maybe the loophole idea is equally unnecessary.

Anyone who is subscribed to the $8.99/month Netflix Watch Instantly service will be able to stream thousands of movies through their PlayStation 3 with no additional charge. The Blu-ray disc will bring up an onscreen interface that will allow you to pick movies and manage your account directly from the console. You won’t even need to touch your computer. Sony says the application will launch next month but gives no more specific details.

If you’re one of the 11.1 million Netflix users and you also own a PS3, you’ll probably want to get in on the action soon. While the disc is free, there are probably a limited amount of them, and the sign-ups have already started. Put your name on the list to get the Blu-ray disc before they’re all gone.

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