Bloggers and reporters have been buzzing about the possibility of a partnership for almost a year, ever since Netflix CEO Reed Hastings joined Microsoft’s board of directors last March. But there have been other hints that the two were inching toward a more formal marriage.

The announcement, if it happens, will likely take place during the keynote address at the Game Developer’s Conference in San Francisco on Wednesday. The show, which is now 21 years old, is expected to draw over 16,000 game-makers from all over the world. People usually line up hours ahead of time for the keynote, delivered this year by Xbox Live exec John Schappert.

Microsoft has a history of making big announcements at the GDC. In 2000, Bill Gates took the stage to announce the original Xbox. And in 2005, J Allard (yes, just J) dropped major hints about the second Xbox, which would become Xbox 360.

Now it’s 2008. And Microsoft has made no secret of its desire to be a Big Entertainment Player — not just a software maker. “(Microsoft) believes that home media is the gateway to Internet dominance, and although they would love the Media Center (product) to be the access point, they have had more success with the Xbox 360 and with Xbox Live,” says Michael Pachter, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan.

The biggest hint about a possible deal came last week, when a survey Netflix had distributed to its members started popping up on blogs. The headline of the survey read “Now you can watch movies from Netflix instantly by using your existing Xbox Live account.” And then, the question: “If, as part of your Netflix membership you could instantly watch movies and TV episodes on your TV with your Xbox 360, how likely would you/anyone in your household be to do that?”

You don’t have to be Nancy Drew to catch this clue.

Early last year, Netflix rolled out its Watch Instantly service, which offers near-DVD-quality movies and TV shows streamed to your PC. Very cool, but who wants to watch a movie sitting at their desk?

Microsoft has been renting movies through its Xbox Live service for over a year, but its catalog is paltry: Just 300 movies compared with the 7,000 available through Netflix’s Watch Instantly service, and the company’s even larger 90,000-DVD full catalog.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23214808/ (full article)

 

It'd be a good move, but in all honesty.....how many watch a movie or show on their PC?

 

i do although ive now started using my PS3 to stream movies to my big screen

 

This is for the Xbox 360.

 

:ibsonyandblockbusterdothesame:

 

I do. I watched both parts of Grindhouse Friday night off of Netflix.

Though having a 37" LCD and a Fios connection helps a bit

 

This would be awesome.

 

There have been rumors lately of an Xbox Live overhaul, possible it could coincide with Netflix integration.

 

I'm concerned about the quality. If it's "near DVD quality" on a small PC, imagine on your main display how horrid it would look. How is the quality of the Xbox Live content?

 

Sounds promising if done right.

 

Well, that rumored survey also mentioned streaming to the PS3, along with the 360. It would make the most sense to have both systems be enabled to stream Netflix since the PS3 installed base is rising rapidly.

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/36060/97/

 

MS has $40 billion burning a hole in their pocket and could easily buy a large stake in Netflix (market cap = only $2 billion) which would ensure exclusivity. They spent over $50 million to get a little exclusive GTA4 content. With HD-DVD dead, they need something for that makes the 360 the center of the home entertainment center. And MS would have no problem with whatever DRM restrictions need to be put into place.

Plus the PS3 is a Blu-Ray vehicle, it doesn't make sense for Sony to do much to push something like this compared to MS. And with their CEO on the MS board, I don't see them helping Sony.

So it could go to the PS3 to, but MS has a lot of reasons to keep it exclusive and has the resources and connections to do it

 

Their 720p content looks pretty good.

 

Now that MS doesnt have any entertainment for the Xbox, they should partner up with Netflix. I dont think MS will be going with blu-ray anytime soon.

 

They still have Xbox Live with TV shows and Movies.

But netflix would be better.

 

No announcement today

 

i don't even have basic cable, so the only shows/movies i watch are on my computer

 

A long-rumoured tie-up between online movie rental company Netflix Inc and Microsoft Corp to let Netflix subscribers watch streamed movies and TV shows on Xbox 360 game consoles will become a reality this fall, the companies said on Monday.

The service, expected to launch as a software upgrade for the Xbox 360, will be offered at no additional cost to Netflix subscribers who also hold Xbox 360 Live Gold memberships, the companies said at the E3 Media and Business Summit in Los Angeles.

XBox users will be able to access more than 10,000 Netflix titles now available as part of a feature called "Watch Instantly" that Netflix launched in 2007.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/govern...33374520080714

 

pretty cool

 

But I was hoping they would do this on the PS3 as well.

 

This is a good move