Netflix Canada Now Streaming via Xbox 360

1 Nov, 2010 By: Erik Gruenwedel

Netflix subscribers in Canada who own an Xbox 360 video game system and Xbox Live Gold membership can now stream content directly to the television.

The Microsoft gaming platform linked with Netflix in the United States in 2009, resulting in more than 1 million new subscribers in 90 days and subsequent streaming deals with Sony’s PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii.

Indeed, Michael Pachter with Wedbush Securities in Los Angeles, said about 15% of the 65 million gaming consoles sold in the United States include Netflix subscribers, including 50% new members. Pachter believes Netflix’s penetration will max at about 18% to 20% of the current console install base, with future growth predicated on new game system sales.

“We expect around 53 million new consoles to be sold by year-end 2013, and think that future net subscriber growth will be limited to no more than 12% of these purchasers, or around 2 million net subscriber additions per year,” Pachter wrote in a recent note.

Separately, Netflix members can now stream TV shows and movies on their Windows Phone 7 handsets through a free app available in Microsoft’s marketplace video store.