Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Netflix on Your Remote Control


Television and film distribution TITAN, Netflix, has announced that consumers will soon be able to access Netflix content on supported consumer electronics devices, directly from a button on their remote controls. How crazy is that?

Netflix has partnered with several consumer electronics leaders (including: Dynex (Best Buy’s house brand), Haier, Memorex, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Sony and Toshiba) to bring a Netflix-branded button to the remote controls for televisions, select Blu-ray players, and other set-top boxes that support the Netflix "Watch Instantly" streaming service.

Netflix says Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba will also be using Netflix buttons on their Internet connected TV sets. Connected device companies like Boxee, Iomega and Roku will also feature Netflix remote control buttons.

As of late, Netflix has worked diligently to license its streaming technology to just about every connected device on the planet. Yup, check your ipod, ipads, iphones, Blackberries???, XBox, Wii, PS3, etc etc... And I Team S@M!! predicts there will be more expansion than ever in 2011. Look for HDTV to have a Netflix setting. For example, HDMI, TV,Composite, Netflix.

That's pretty dope.

With a total of 16 million subscribers in the US and Canada combined, in November, the company made its first significant move away from the DVD rental business, by adding a $7.99 streaming-only plan for customers in the U.S.

Hulu is employing similar strategies with device licensing and pricing for its Hulu Plus service, but the big benefit that Netflix has, by virtue of being on the market longer, is its reach. A number of companies have already signed up to provide Hulu Plus content on their devices, but the rollout is taking time.

Meanwhile, by securing prominent, branded placement on remote controls, Netflix is solidly promoting and reinforcing its branding to customers and future customers alike.

I hope you're taking notes Blockbuster.

SCREAM @ ME!!!

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