Analyst: Xbox 360 is a "Gold Mine" for Netflix
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Microsoft, Xbox, Netflix, Pachter | Themes: Digital Entertainment
As if a 45 percent profit increase wasn't enough good news, analysts are now saying Netflix has yet to reach its full potential.
Earlier this week, Netflix announced that its quarterly profits were up 45 percent, and it would soon hit the 10 million mark in subscriptions. Chief financial officer Barry McCarthy attributed much of his company's recent success to the streaming service Netflix offers. While still offering the DVD/Blu-ray through mail service the company was founded upon, Netflix also allows its users to stream movies through a myriad of options, including its own Roku box, Microsoft's Xbox 360, select Blu-ray players, and any computer with a broadband internet connection. By streaming content over the internet, Netflix has seen a dramatic decrease in operation costs because it is shipping less movies through the mail.
So while the streaming service, which is based on Microsoft's Silverlight technology, is already a hot ticket service, one analyst believes its barely skimmed the surface. Michael Pachter, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan, Pachter believes the Xbox 360 will play a vital role in the continued success of Netflix. Anyone with an Xbox LIVE "Gold" membership (which costs $50 for 13 months), can either open a new Netflix account through their Xbox 360 or attach their already existing Netflix account to it. Those who use Netflix through their Xbox 360 can mow watch any number of films or TV shows on their TV.
"We believe that the Xbox Live Gold membership is a proverbial gold mine of potential [Netflix] members, and expect to see as many as 1 million join as Netflix members in the next year," said Pachter. "Beyond that, we note that Microsoft is still selling a large number of Xbox 360 units (we estimate that it will sell another 5 – 6 million in the U.S. in 2009), with conversion of around 35% of these owners to Xbox Live Gold membership."
So if you're already using a Gold LIVE subscription to play Gears of War 2 and Madden 09 on your Xbox 360, take a minute away from gaming and check out the streaming service for yourself.
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This is great news, until the comcast 250 gig monthly limit is reached.
I have a Netflix account and it streams through my Xbox 360. I have to say it's pretty cool as I don't have to wait for my movies to come in the mail. However, Netflix seriously needs to expand their selection of movies that can be streamed via internet as it's very small; there just isn't much to choose from right now. I hope Netflix expands their streaming online selection - asap.
I'm with Hop on his comment... right now it's not too bad watching an 8gb DVD (and hence 31 movies a month) but now that I'm getting used to watching Bluray movies on that same flat-screen that the 360 is hooked up to, the bandwidth would quickly runs out for the month when added to my other Internet usage.
Oh well, there's always the netflix disks that come in the mail without eating up my monthly streaming allowance.
I can't wait to get FiOS, faster speeds and no bandwidth limit.
The main reason the library on NetFlix is limited for the streaming service is because of Sony. They made NetFlix pull all of the Sony movies off of the streaming service prior to Microsoft's November Update.
There needs to be a class action suit against Sony for making NetFlix pull their movies off of the streaming service.
The main reason the library on NetFlix is limited for the streaming service is because of Sony. They made NetFlix pull all of the Sony movies off of the streaming service prior to Microsoft's November Update.There needs to be a class action suit against Sony for making NetFlix pull their movies off of the streaming service.
I didn't know that, and that is really stupid for Sony to pull all their movies streaming on Netflix simply because they're now working with Microsoft. Makes me wonder if Sony is trying to set up their own video streaming service as well? Anyway, I hope Sony get sued (probably will happen this year).
I don't think you can (legitimately) sue someone for not letting you stream content that THEY own. I understand the outrage, however.
I have FiOS and it literally takes maybe 15 seconds to download enough of the movie to start watching it. Although it is dependent on their end too but for the most part it's pretty awesome. FiOS that is.
MediaMall has a program named PlayOn which will allow a PS3 to watch Netflix via a PC. Sure the program runs $30 and you have to have a computer running, but you don't need to pay an Xbox Live subscription. I just fire up my laptop and stick it in another room. Looks a ton better on the PS3 compared to plugging my laptop into the TV.
I don't think you can (legitimately) sue someone for not letting you stream content that THEY own. I understand the outrage, however.
Not true, if you can prove that one arm of Sony is making business decisions to aid another division you're looking at an anti-trust suit. This would be akin to MS making windows not working on a VIAO. Okay maybe not this extreme but its in the same vein.
Not true, if you can prove that one arm of Sony is making business decisions to aid another division you're looking at an anti-trust suit. This would be akin to MS making windows not working on a VIAO. Okay maybe not this extreme but its in the same vein.
Nice! I look forward to the lawsuit. =D
"take a minute away from gaming and check out the streaming service for yourself." ...Somebody owns stock in Netflix