Monday: PlayStation 3 gets native Netflix application @ Gaming Target

Written by Matt Swider on October 14, 2010

News: The wait is almost over: October 18, 2010.

Hear that? That's the sound of one million PS3 Netflix discs hitting the bottom of the recycle bin. Sony just announced that the need for a streaming disc to watch Netflix movies and TV shows on the console is a thing of the past; a native Netflix app is coming to an XMB near you on Monday, October 18.

УWith a new look and feel plus additional features such as 5.1 surround sound, Netflix on the PlayStation 3 delivers an amazing viewing experience for enjoying movies and TV shows streamed from the Internet to your living room,Ф said Greg Peters, Netflix vice president, product development. УWe expect PS3 owners who have been instantly watching movies and TV shows streamed from Netflix will be pleased with the continued enhancements that we're offering.Ф

The year-long process of having to use a disc to stream Netflix content on the PS3 was an annoyance fueled by Microsoft's exclusive deal with the movie rental giant. The Xbox 360, which received Netflix a whole year prior in 2008, has been the only video game system that could stream content from the dashboard.

Now, it appears that PS3 is on even ground or ahead of the Xbox 360 when it comes to Netflix support. Sony's console will be the first device to support 5.1-channel surround sound on Netflix movies and TV shows. Add in the fact that PS3 supports the Blu-Ray format, which you probably use to play the Blu-Rays-by-mail, and it seems that Sony finally has the go-to multimedia hub is set out to create years ago.