Netflix to Stream Content to Wii Consoles

REDMOND/LOS GATOS: A deal between Netflix and Nintendo of America will allow the online rental outfit’s subscribers to stream movies and TV shows via the Wii gaming console.

Beginning this spring, Netflix customers that own a Wii console with a broadband connection will be able to instantly stream thousands of movies and TV episodes. “Our research shows that 86 percent of all U.S. Wii consoles are located in the living room," said Reggie Fils-Aime, the president of Nintendo of America. “The Wii console is the social hub around which friends and family members gather to play games and have fun. Soon both new and longtime Wii owners will enjoy the benefits of Netflix—and a variety of informational and entertainment options—by being Netflix members and connecting their consoles to the Internet.”

“Our goal is to offer Netflix members as many ways as possible to watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix right to their TVs and to give non-members more and compelling reasons to consider the service,” said Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings. “Joining forces with Nintendo, which has been so immensely popular with consumers since its introduction, is a very meaningful step in that direction.”

To enable their systems to stream content from Netflix, Wii owners will need a Netflix instant-streaming disc for the Wii console, which will be available at no additional cost to Netflix subscribers.