We reported earlier in the month that Netflix CEO Reed Hastings announced a probable partnership with Nintendo. At the time, however, he never explicitly mentioned the Wii system. Many people thought that this confirmed the rumors that Netflix was waiting until Nintendo's next console before partnering with them to offer streaming video, but today those rumors were put to rest. Although there is no official launch date for the service, Nintendo and Netflix announced that streaming video would be available to all Wii owners who had broadband internet and a Netflix membership at no extra charge.
Although the Wii will not be able to provide HD content, it is by far the console with the highest market penetration having sold 26 million units in the United States as of December 2009. Netflix , although planning to still offer on-disk movie rentals for at least the next couple of decades, is placing increasing importance on the ability to stream movies over the internet to their subscribers. Hastings called this partnership with Nintendo a "big step forward" and Netflix will continue to expand its online streaming capabilities to new HD televisions, Blu-Ray players and set top boxes.
Although the Wii will not be able to provide HD content, it is by far the console with the highest market penetration having sold 26 million units in the United States as of December 2009. Netflix , although planning to still offer on-disk movie rentals for at least the next couple of decades, is placing increasing importance on the ability to stream movies over the internet to their subscribers. Hastings called this partnership with Nintendo a "big step forward" and Netflix will continue to expand its online streaming capabilities to new HD televisions, Blu-Ray players and set top boxes.
