Home Gaming Netflix on Xbox 360 No Longer Streaming Sony Columbia Pictures Films

Netflix on Xbox 360 No Longer Streaming Sony Columbia Pictures Films

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xble Not that this story is completely relevant to us here in SA but I do think it’s an interesting one. Joystiq is reporting that Netflix streaming won’t have quite as many films available as may have been planned. Its seems a number of films are now no longer available to be streamed on the Xbox 360, including both Ghostbusters and Bad Boys. All of the movies that have suddenly disappeared all have a common connection, Columbia Pictures, which is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment. The films haven’t disappeared from Netflix altogether; they are still available to be played on PC’s and on TV’s through other devices. Which in turn makes this seem like a really childish and petty move on Sony’s part to ruin Microsoft’s party.

As it turns out, this is simply a matter of licensing. Given that Sony BMG music is available through the Zune Marketplace and other Sony Pictures Entertainment movies are still available for streaming through Netflix to the 360, this might not be what it seems which is too bad, cause I’m up for some excitement.

MTV Multiplayer contacted Netflix and received a reply from their VP of corporate communications, Steve Swasey. He confirmed that these movies “are still available to be watched on subscribers’ computers and on TVs via other partner devices, and we hope they’ll be licensed for Xbox 360 shortly.” While he wouldn’t comment on whether the timing is pure coincidence or if Sony put in a request to put this in motion, but he did say:

“As watching instantly becomes a more prominent part of the Netflix service, our goal is to have all of our streaming content licensed for all of our partner devices. We’re doing well in this area, but it will take some time before we fully achieve that goal. Today, titles regularly come in and out of license and there is a natural ebb and flow to what we have on license at any given point in time.”

1up have managed to contact Microsoft to see what their take was on the situation, but they were greeted with the standard “no comment” because as they put it “it wasn’t their comment to make”.

So this all seems to just come down to the licensing process to distribute streamable video. Should it really be a licensing problem, the timing is amazing. There is no proof of anything other than licensing issues but who knows, it all just seems so well timed I can’t help but ponder what another reason may be.

Source: MTV Multiplayer

Last Updated: November 19, 2008

11 Comments

  1. janrik

    November 19, 2008 at 15:03

    Suur druiwe.

    Reply

  2. darthdad

    November 19, 2008 at 15:10

    “Suur druiwe”
    By whom? 😉

    Reply

  3. easy

    November 19, 2008 at 15:41

    sony is a big company, and contrary to popular conceptions, the do more than just make ps3’s and psp’s.
    the gaming side of sony is dwarfed but the other divisions, so don’t start by saying sony is sour grapes, and if you think about it, why would sony not be chuffed by making money off xbox owners.

    Reply

  4. darthdad

    November 19, 2008 at 15:49

    Eggzackeryyyy!

    Reply

  5. janrik

    November 20, 2008 at 08:04

    They are not making money from xbox owners.
    No netflix sony movies on the 360 = less people that will rent the stuff that way.
    They are being very stupid.

    Reply

  6. darthdad

    November 20, 2008 at 08:51

    Genuine question janrik. Who is being stupid? Have you got a link to where Sony state they do not want there entertainment shown on the 360? If that is what they are doing, it is a really low blow.

    Reply

  7. janrik

    November 20, 2008 at 10:16

    http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/11/18/sony-blocks-netflix-360-movies/

    Am I reading the thing wrong?

    For me it looks like 360 netflix users will not be able to watch Sony movie company movies from their 360 via Netflix.

    “For now, however, Sony Pictures Entertainment films available for streaming through Netflix — including “Superbad,” “We Own The Night” and others — will remain blocked on Xbox 360, until Sony says otherwise.”

    Reply

  8. darthdad

    November 20, 2008 at 10:47

    In my opinion this comment
    “When asked if the license just coincidentally expired as Microsoft was adding Netflix support or Sony Pictures Entertainment specifically requested Xbox 360 streaming to be disabled, Swasey wouldn’t say.”
    Is more relevant. I’ll hold judgment on this one for now.

    Reply

  9. darthdad

    November 20, 2008 at 12:58

  10. Wolfy

    November 21, 2008 at 08:30

    I smell boicott

    Reply

  11. Wolfy

    November 21, 2008 at 08:36

    Thats just so immature . Just because Xbox can do netflix and PS3 cant as far as i know now, Isnt the reason for the people who wanna check they’re blockbuster movies streaming via netflix be denied access.

    But if you own a PC account or the decoder or however it works your more than welcome. I dont think its licences. Because MS must of done they’re home work considering the licencing regulations and steps that had to be taken for maximum pleasure to the consumer.

    I just see this as pure stupidity . Microsoft might aswel denie Sony to create games or write Sony related programs on Widows operating systems lol (thats what ill do)

    Reply

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