Netflix for Wii under consideration?
American users receive tantalising survey
A new survey undertaken by US movies-on-demand service Netflix, hints that the firm could be considering a release on Nintendo's Wii platform. The company already delivers flicks to Xbox Live users in the US.
A survey form apparently sent out to subscribers reads: "Imagine that, as an added benefit to DVDs by mail, Netflix offers its members the ability to watch movies & TV episodes instantly on their TV via their Nintendo Wii, choosing from a library of over 12,000 choices."
Netflix would no doubt go down a treat on the Wii, although we're unsure if Microsoft would be so pleased to see the company partnering with a rival service.
Indeed, we had hoped to see Netflix reach Xbox Live in other countries, despite Microsoft playing down rumours to this effect.
Comments
Seriously, there's no point. An installed userbase does not translate to an increase in market share. Coupled with the problem that there's only a tiny amount of storage in the box, and you're going to have to persuade Wii owners to either go out and buy more storage as an accessory (presenting a barrier to entry) or watch some streamed/buffered low quality version.
Netflix would be better served clubbing some movie industry execs heads together and getting their platform in new regions. Either that or partnering up with firms like LoveFilm or Sky to leverage the disto rights and maybe some co-branding in order to pull people in. It means their developers are sitting around not doing very much, but it should help push thier brand out from being just US-centric
Hell, I love the Wii. Play it more than my PS3 and during certain periods even more than my 360. But I don't even care about this. If I download movies and not via the HD On Demand ability on my Cable Box, it'll most likely be on the PS3.
But I'm in no hurry either way.