Sony Corp said on Monday it is partnering with Netflix Inc to provide access to the online movie rental company's library through Sony's PlayStation 3 video game console.
PS3 users in the United States who are also Netflix subscribers will be able to instantly stream movies from the Netflix catalog at no extra cost.
Sony's move is just the latest salvo in its battle with Microsoft Corp and its Xbox 360 console as the two heavyweights vie to become the so-called "digital hub" of the living room. Both companies are using their consoles to provide content beyond games.
"While gaming is clearly our core DNA I think we felt very confident three years ago when we debuted PlayStation 3 that this was going to be a device that was going to mean much more than gaming," said Jack Tretton, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment America.
The Xbox already offers Netflix access, but users must pay $50 a year for Xbox Live Gold membership to use it.
More: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE59P0KS20091026
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PS3 users in the United States who are also Netflix subscribers will be able to instantly stream movies from the Netflix catalog at no extra cost.
Sony's move is just the latest salvo in its battle with Microsoft Corp and its Xbox 360 console as the two heavyweights vie to become the so-called "digital hub" of the living room. Both companies are using their consoles to provide content beyond games.
"While gaming is clearly our core DNA I think we felt very confident three years ago when we debuted PlayStation 3 that this was going to be a device that was going to mean much more than gaming," said Jack Tretton, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment America.
The Xbox already offers Netflix access, but users must pay $50 a year for Xbox Live Gold membership to use it.
More: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE59P0KS20091026
