Netflix to Rent Movies Over Xbox Live Marketplace?

Posted by on March 27th, 2008   Filed under: Games, Industry News, Rumours, Technology
Source: Reuters

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A couple of months ago we reported that Netflix had partnered with LG to create a set-top box that would allow them to stream movies directly to your TV. Now it appears that they are exploring additional options related to delivering movies on demand, one of which could involve a partnership with Microsoft to rent movies over Xbox Live.

According to Reuters, Netflix recently surveyed their customers to find out how many owned Xbox 360 consoles and to see how much interest there was in using Xbox Live to watch movies. At this point we don’t know the results of the survey, and Netflix would not confirm that they had any immediate plans to team up with Microsoft, but personally I think it’s a great idea. It saves consumers from having to buy another set-top box, and it means that Netflix might actually consider offering their service outside of the U.S.!

I’ve recently been experimenting with the free trials offered by a few of the top Canadian online DVD rental services (which I plan to write a feature about in the near future), but the one problem that I keep running into is the simple laws of supply and demand. There just aren’t enough copies of these DVDs out there to send everyone their top choices all the time… but with digital copies, supply is unlimited! This is clearly the future of movie rentals, we just need one rental service to be able to pool together support from all the major studios in order to offer a significant catalogue of choices. Have you downloaded movies over Xbox Live? Do you think this would be a good move for Netflix?



  • I have never paid to DL a movie over XBOX live, but if Netflix offered their service through XBOX, and it was attached to my existing netflix account (as in, I didn’t have to pay per movie, but rather a monthly fee) I would be all for it. In fact, I really hope it happens.

  • I’m not a huge fan of the X-Box live marketplace, and I haven’t tested it yet as far as downloads, simply because I find it severely overpriced in comparison to the stuff I can get in the Wii marketplace.

    I’d be willing to try it, but the price would have to be right.

  • scoville

    I too would love it if it was attached to my current Netflix account.

  • Even though I don’t live in Canada, I’m really excited to read your comparative review of the different services available to you guys Sean.

    I don’t have an XBox, nor do I have any plans to get one. I do have Netflix, however, and have yet to have a real problem getting a movie I wanted. Then again, I haven’t been trying to get many brand new movies from Netflix, which I’m sure are the titles that are in more demand. I’ve been primarily using the service to catch up on all the films I’ve missed over the years such as Taxi Driver, Midnight Cowboy, and Death Race 2000. I had to endure a bit of a wait before I received a copy of The Omega Man around the time I Am Legen was in theaters, but aside from that it’s been smooth sailing for me. Someday I wouldn’t mind having a set-top box with an unlimited supply of films at my disposal, but I still don’t even have cable, so for now I’m satisfied with the mail delivery service. I manage to get between 18 and 22 movies most months, 3 at a time, and that’s alright by me.

  • Thanks for the information, bookmarked your page for updates :)