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Disc-Free Netflix Now Available on Wii

by Andy Goergen - October 18, 2010, 8:37 am EDT
Total comments: 31 Source: (Nintendo Press Release)

The popular video streaming service is now available as a downloadable application, which has been updated to include searching.

Nintendo announced today that a Netflix application would be available for download from the Wii Shop Channel, allowing Wii owners to view Netflix Instant videos without having to insert the Netflix disc into their Wii.   

Although the Netflix Instant video library has been available on Wii since April 2010, users were required to order a disc from Netflix which required inserting into the system when accessing the content.  By contrast, the Xbox platform has had a disc-free solution since the beginning.   

The Netflix application is available at no additional cost, but as before, a Netflix subscription is required to access the content.

Netflix Now Available as a Download From the Wii Shop Channel

Watching Movies and TV Shows Streamed Instantly is Now Just a Click Away.

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 18, 2010 - Beginning today, Netflix members in the United States and Canada can stream content through their Wii™ consoles with Netflix installed on their Wii Menu. The Netflix disc that was used for instant streaming on the Wii console will no longer be required. Netflix members who have a plan starting at $8.99 a month ($7.99 in Canada), a Wii console and a broadband Internet connection can now instantly watch movies and TV shows streamed directly to their TVs by simply downloading Netflix from the Wii Shop Channel. This new channel is available at no extra cost. The new disc-free option installs Netflix on the Wii Menu, making it convenient for Wii owners to quickly access streaming movies and TV shows.

"At this time of year, consumers have a near-insatiable demand for family entertainment," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "And this simplified Netflix access will help bring families together more quickly, more easily and in more ways than ever before. More than 3 million Wii systems have already connected to Netflix, demonstrating how easy the service is to set up and use."

"Wii is a consummate home entertainment platform and has quickly become one of the best and most popular ways to enjoy movies streamed from Netflix," said Reed Hastings, co-founder and CEO of Netflix. "The availability of Netflix right on the Wii Menu adds significantly to the ease and convenience that attracts our members to the Netflix streaming experience and is an important step in our efforts to continuously improve the service."

Wii offers consumers the most fun right out of the box. Precision motion controls, online access and great games are all included at no extra charge. For a suggested retail price of just $199.99 ($209.99 in Canada), Wii owners get:

  • The Wii console, Wii Sports™, Wii Sports Resort™, a Wii Remote™ controller, a Wii MotionPlus™ accessory and a Nunchuk™ controller
  • Access* to hundreds of downloadable games in the Wii Shop Channel, including original games like World of Goo and classic games from the NES™, Super NES™ and Nintendo 64™ eras
  • Access* to a variety of entertainment and informational channels, including the Nintendo® Channel, which provides information about current and upcoming Wii and Nintendo DS™ games
  • Access* to streaming Netflix movies and TV showsThe Netflix service has been available on the Wii console in the United States since April 12, 2010, and in Canada since Sept. 22, 2010. For more information about how to stream Netflix through a Wii console, visit http://www.netflix.com/wii or http://www.netflix.ca/wii.

Remember that Wii and Netflix feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://wii.com and http://www.netflix.com.

* Broadband Internet connection required. Netflix streaming requires Netflix subscription.

Talkback

FZeroBoyoOctober 18, 2010

So now all three consoles have disk-less Netflix service now. I guess the only difference now is which ones have HD?

SeacorOctober 18, 2010

Quote:

By contrast, the Xbox platform has had a disc-free solution since the beginning.

That was due to an exclusive deal between M$ and Netflix.

PlugabugzOctober 18, 2010

Now all we need is Netflix to become available outside the USA....

BlackNMild2k1October 18, 2010

Quote from: Plugabugz

Now all we need is Netflix to become available outside the USA....

Netflix is available in Canada


But Nintendo couldn't have announced this last week like Sony did so that we had a heads up? I was wondering if Sony was the only one to strike the disc-less deal and Nintendo just didn't care. I guess I have a reason to turn my Wii on now and finally check to see what he flashing blue light has been about for the last 2 months :P

TheFleeceOctober 18, 2010

Quote from: FZeroBoyo

So now all three consoles have disk-less Netflix service now. I guess the only difference now is which ones have HD?

You can't search for titles from the Wii. I'm not sure if you can do that or not from the other systems. Once a search function is added I'll be really pleased with the service on Wii. Also I wouldn't have guessed this was going to happen this month, so it's great news!

Disk-free is on the PS3? I musta missed that patch.

BlackNMild2k1October 18, 2010

Quote from: Halbred

Disk-free is on the PS3? I musta missed that patch.

It's supposed to be available today, check your PSN or something. I can link you to the story from last week if you like.

pre-post edit: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/10/14/netflixps3/

I was wondering if Nintendo would take advantage of this situation, but I honestly thought the application might be too large (> 40MB) to run natively on Wii. So, this is a nice surprise. It's not very relevant for me since I have all three consoles and will probably default to PS3 now (it has better video and audio, and I already watch a lot of disc movies on PS3). However, I know that a lot of people do watch Netflix on Wii, and this should be a boon to them.


TheFleece, you can search with the new disc-less Wii app. At this point, all three consoles have a search function for Netflix (although the Xbox updated app is only available to NXE Preview users until November).

brian577October 18, 2010

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TheFleeceOctober 18, 2010

Quote from: Jonnyboy117

TheFleece, you can search with the new disc-less Wii app. At this point, all three consoles have a search function for Netflix (although the Xbox updated app is only available to NXE Preview users until November).

Sweet!! Write me off as Satisfied!

As Jonny said, you *can* search for titles, and browse all of the catagories.


I will go update the story to reflect this.

PlugabugzOctober 18, 2010

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

Quote from: Plugabugz

Now all we need is Netflix to become available outside the USA....

Netflix is available in Canada

More specifically, outside the Americas like the UK :P:

We do have iPlayer and ITV Player here which are both UK-only exclusives but they show only free-to-air content that both the BBC and ITV have produced/licensed.

I would like to be able to stream movies now though.

MorariOctober 18, 2010

Edited for offensive content. You have been warned!

MorariOctober 18, 2010

Quote from: Morari

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

Quote from: Halbred

Disk-free is on the PS3? I musta missed that patch.

It's supposed to be available today, check your PSN or something. I can link you to the story from last week if you like.

pre-post edit: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/10/14/netflixps3/

Don't worry. Sony will probably remove that feature sooner or later in an effort to thwart "piracy"...

This is good news for the Wii however. Putting a disc in to stream movies was a hassle. I still get the majority of my content from NetFlix via snail mail, but that's strictly due to the perks inherent with it. I'll still probably use my media box and PlayOn to stream NetFlix to my television, but I know plenty of people that'll be happy to use their Wii.

BranDonk KongOctober 18, 2010

It's always been disc free for me, I installed it through USB Loader GX. Time to get the channel though, searching rules!

Mop it upOctober 18, 2010

Is this available today or coming soon?

If it has a search function then it might be worth using up valuable system memory. Does anyone know how many blocks will it take up?

Retro DeckadesOctober 18, 2010

I just signed up for Netflix today and downloaded the application to my Wii. Woot free trial!

BlackNMild2k1October 18, 2010

I should have posted this sooner, but better late than never:

Netflix 1 Month FREE Trial

This expires Oct. 31st and normally you only get a 14 day free trial, so if you were on the fence, now is a good time to see how soft the green grass really is on the other side.

Retro DeckadesOctober 18, 2010

Quote from: Mop

Is this available today or coming soon?

If it has a search function then it might be worth using up valuable system memory. Does anyone know how many blocks will it take up?

I believe it took 40 blocks.

ThePermOctober 18, 2010

Quote from: Seacor

Quote:

By contrast, the Xbox platform has had a disc-free solution since the beginning.

That was due to an exclusive deal between M$ and Netflix.

Man people still abbreviate Microsoft as M$? That is like so 1998 .

MorariOctober 18, 2010

Quote from: OneTwenty

Quote from: Mop

Is this available today or coming soon?

If it has a search function then it might be worth using up valuable system memory. Does anyone know how many blocks will it take up?

I believe it took 40 blocks.

49 ;)

Mop it upOctober 18, 2010

Only 49? That's pretty low, I'll probably download it if that's the case.

MorariOctober 18, 2010

I would definitely suggest it if you have NetFlix. The channel is actually pretty robust and is more in line with what you'd expect from the service. I always did think that the disc felt awfully stripped down.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorOctober 19, 2010

If anyone has a copy of the 1.0.1 Wii Netflix disc, you should send it to me. ;)

vuduOctober 19, 2010

Quote from: UncleBob

If anyone has a copy of the 1.0.1 Wii Netflix disc, you should send it to me. ;)

Dare I ask why?

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorOctober 19, 2010

So I can get a red add-a-page to go in my red Wii game case (from NSMB Wii) and have both versions together with my fancy cover from TheCoverProject.net. :)

Mop it upOctober 19, 2010

What's it worth to you?

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorOctober 19, 2010

A rare foil Birdo Mario Kart trading card?

TJ SpykeOctober 20, 2010

Quote from: Halbred

Disk-free is on the PS3? I musta missed that patch.

I got it yesterday morning when I put the disc in to watch a movie and it told me that a update was available to download (at 19MB for those wondering) and that the disc would stop working in 30 days. I am guessing the same is true for the Wii disc. I am not sure about the Wii version, but this update completely changed the Netflix interface.

As for the Xbox 360, doesn't that still require Xbox Live Gold to use Netflix? That is an disadvantage.

I haven't tried it on the Wii yet, but I like the interface for disc-free Netflix on the PS3 better than the one on the 360.

I know the video quality is worse on Wii, but I like using the Wii Remote to use Netflix. It feels more natural than a controller.

Then again, Lauren bought a cheap DVD remote USB thing for the PS3 when she borrowed it to watch Blu-Rays, so I guess I'm just an idiot.

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