Nintendo of America Inc. and Netflix, Inc. today announced a an agreement to provide streaming movies and TV shows to Netflix subscribers via Nintendo’s Wii game console. The service will be provided to Netflix users at no additional cost over their existing subscription rates, which start at a base rate of $8.99 per month. Naturally, a Wii console and a broadband internet will also be required to receive the streaming programming.
The partnership should be beneficial to both parties, as it will provide Nintendo with a rich addition to their current content offering, and it will greatly enhance the delivery platform currently on offer from Netflix.
The Wii is the fastest-selling entertainment console in history. In December, 2009 alone, Nintendo sold more than 3 million units in the United States. And Netflix, which currently has 11.1 million U.S. subscribers, has been been positioning itself to take of the evolution in technology that will eventually see consumers move away from hard-disk formats in favor of streaming or on-demand delivery systems. The new deal promises to be a synergy that works.
“Our research shows that 86 percent of all U.S. Wii consoles are located in the living room,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime in an official press release. “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.”
Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings added, “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. Joining forces with Nintendo, which has been so immensely popular with consumers since its introduction, is a very meaningful step in that direction.”
Wii image by Ian Muttoo, licensed through Creative Commons.
Netflix image by dolphinsdock, licensed through Creative Commons.
