Netflix: HD Streaming "Underwhelming," Expects Wii Success

[nomore]

In part two of this Wiire exclusive interview, Netflix bolsters their hopes for success on the Wii platform by downplaying their HD content.

Netflix Vice President of Corporate Communications Steve Swasey anticipates seeing a lot of success (without predicting any numbers) on Nintendo's Wii platform. He notes the system's American install base, saying, "26 million homes in America have a Wii. That's a whole lot of folks."

The key question, as Swasey indicates, is whether Wii owners will want to watch Netflix on Nintendo's home console.

"We think that the desirability of watching movies instantly on the Wii via Netflix is a wonderful opportunity for Wii homes. And so we think it's going to be very well adopted."

Downplaying High-Definition Streaming

Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime recently said on CNBC that "the vast majority of content that is available for streaming through Netflix is not HD content. So, there is really no loss for the Wii consumer."

In step with Nintendo, Netflix is downplaying its own streaming services on other systems.

To start, Swasey notes that "the Wii does not have HD capability," only to immediately add that they "don't think that is a deterrent for Wii families."

Netflix plans to flesh out the Wii application, which relies on a proprietary disc with a certain setup process (to find out how to get Netflix up and running on your Wii, head over to our guide).

Still, Netflix feels the need to squash any concerns about the system's lack of HD streaming. Swasey accomplishes this by devaluing the HD functions of Netflix to begin with, comparing the Wii to other game consoles.

"PS3 and Xbox users have 1 in 17 titles available in HD, and it's streamed in 720... it's not in 1080, and it's not in 5.1 surround sound or anything."

In this sense, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 Netflix users have a 1,000-movie advantage, in which the difference is a change from streaming in 480p to 720p. This seems to be the company's form of disarming the "HD argument."

It doesn't quite end there, however. He continues:

"So, the HD experience at Netflix Instant Watching isn't that overwhelming. It's a little bit underwhelming. So the Wii folks aren't going to miss that much."

Certainly, a company doesn't often call their own service "underwhelming" unless they have a rock-solid relationship with another company that they're vying for.

Netflix has seen plenty of success in its Instant Watch service with other game consoles (The Washington Post reports that nearly half of all movies and TV shows use the service). Still, they could see massive success by siding with Nintendo, a move they are even slightly taking the fall for.

"We're confident that Netflix and Nintendo have a good partnership going and that you're going to see Nintendo owners really enjoying Netflix on their Wii."

http://thewiire.com/editorials/post/...ts-wii-success

[badboy]

Netflix marketing guys should get fired

"our hd range of movies sucks so the wii users dont miss a thing!"

[Encyclopedia_b]

Originally Posted by badboy

Netflix marketing guys should get fired

"our hd range of movies sucks so the wii users dont miss a thing!"

LOL!

i think its awsome tho, cant wait to be able to stream netflix to another tv.

[Ristogod]

don't think that is a deterrent for Wii families.

I think that statement is correct. Wii families only care about jumping around swinging inaccurate motion controls playing dumbed down boring games with blocky graphics. Why would they care what their movies look like?

[Encyclopedia_b]

i would imagine a good deal of wii owners have their wiis hooked up to standard tv's

mine is hooked up downstairs on an old sony 36 wega. it looks just fine for me there, zero complaints as long as i can " jumping around swinging inaccurate motion controls playing dumbed down boring games with blocky graphics".

but yes, i suppose your right i only like wii games because I only care about "jumping around swinging inaccurate motion controls playing dumbed down boring games with blocky graphics".

[Ristogod]

Originally Posted by Encyclopedia_b

i would imagine a good deal of wii owners have their wiis hooked up to standard tv's

mine is hooked up downstairs on an old sony 36 wega. it looks just fine for me there, zero complaints as long as i can " jumping around swinging inaccurate motion controls playing dumbed down boring games with blocky graphics".

but yes, i suppose your right i only like wii games because I only care about "jumping around swinging inaccurate motion controls playing dumbed down boring games with blocky graphics".

Please don't take me so serious.

[mabran]

I supported netflix and like the fact they want to get on every device imagainable but comments like these liken them to a common whore that will stop at nothing to get you to buy their goods.

let's hope they don't "downgrade" the service to satisfy their new BFF Nintendo and offer less HD because after all it's "Not that big of a deal"

[jimmt]

Originally Posted by Encyclopedia_b

i would imagine a good deal of wii owners have their wiis hooked up to standard tv's

mine is hooked up downstairs on an old sony 36 wega. it looks just fine for me there, zero complaints as long as i can " jumping around swinging inaccurate motion controls playing dumbed down boring games with blocky graphics".

but yes, i suppose your right i only like wii games because I only care about "jumping around swinging inaccurate motion controls playing dumbed down boring games with blocky graphics".

Hey we have a 36 Sony wega too. takes an army to move the dang thing. why i still have it.

[monkeydust]

Hey, I have a 36" Sony wega too.

Anyways, the selection of streaming movies on Netflix really does suck. The concept is cool though. I've streamed a handful of things to my Tivo and had a moderately positive experience.

[Sharkfood]

Originally Posted by Ristogod

Wii families only care about jumping around swinging inaccurate motion controls playing dumbed down boring games with blocky graphics.

[nomore]

Originally Posted by Ristogod

Please don't take me so serious.

I usually take you very seriously.