Netflix to Offer Mac Video Streaming in 2008
AlleyInsider reports that during their Q4 financial results, Netflix confirmed that they were hoping to have a Mac web-streaming video solution available in 2008. An earlier Netflix blog entry from August had reported the same expectation. The core issue has been a lack of an available Digital Rights Management solution for the Mac:
Microsoft's Silverlight video technology appears to be the most promising solution which will support cross-platform (PC and Mac) DRM-encoded video. Silverlight is available in beta for Mac from Microsoft.
Netflix recently announced that they were expanding their streaming service to allow users to download an unlimited number of movies per month for a flat $8.99 fee. Later this year, they also plan on launching a set top box to allow users to watch streaming movies on their television. In contrast, Apple's movie rental solution offers $2.99/$3.99/$4.99 24-hour rentals, and also offers a set-top box (Apple TV) to watch movies.
A key issue for delivering movies online is that the studios require use of DRM (Digital Rights Management) to protect titles. And that's our holdup for the Mac - there's not yet a studio-sanctioned, publicly-available Mac DRM solution (Apple doesn't license theirs). I can promise you that, when an approved solution becomes available for the Mac, we'll be there.
Microsoft's Silverlight video technology appears to be the most promising solution which will support cross-platform (PC and Mac) DRM-encoded video. Silverlight is available in beta for Mac from Microsoft.
Netflix recently announced that they were expanding their streaming service to allow users to download an unlimited number of movies per month for a flat $8.99 fee. Later this year, they also plan on launching a set top box to allow users to watch streaming movies on their television. In contrast, Apple's movie rental solution offers $2.99/$3.99/$4.99 24-hour rentals, and also offers a set-top box (Apple TV) to watch movies.
Top Rated Comments
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53 months ago
I guess this means I can stop sending them weekly complaints/suggestions to add Mac support :)
53 months ago
If the content is HD (at least 720P), and if they offer the service in Canada, I'm in!
53 months ago
Yah... As the Mac gains market share the more mac capable services there are :eek:
53 months ago
Good...Good...
Apple really needs good competitors in the online video rentals market.
What I like from Netflix is their international and independedt films availability plus the fair monthly fee I pay.
This could force Apple to change its strategy and give us unlimited movie rentals for a flat fee.
Also I hope there is more online HD content.
________
mflb
Apple really needs good competitors in the online video rentals market.
What I like from Netflix is their international and independedt films availability plus the fair monthly fee I pay.
This could force Apple to change its strategy and give us unlimited movie rentals for a flat fee.
Also I hope there is more online HD content.
________
mflb
53 months ago
********. If Apple can offer downloads of major motion picture studio-produced movies, then there is a DRM-enabled streaming solution for the Mac.
Netflix is being L-A-Z-Y. ****ers.
Netflix is being L-A-Z-Y. ****ers.
53 months ago
********. If Apple can offer downloads of major motion picture studio-produced movies, then there is a DRM-enabled streaming solution for the Mac.
Netflix is being L-A-Z-Y. ****ers.
Did you even read the article? Apple won't license its DRM to Netflix... obviously since Netflix is a movie rental service and not a computer software powerhouse, they are having trouble writing DRM that the studios will approve.
53 months ago
Ah, the sweet smell of competition. I hope this will drive Apple to better prices and terms on their rentals.
53 months ago
This is great news. I watch their movies under Boot Camp and it works well. Not a lot of your typical movies are available, but they have added several seasons of tv shows, and there are a lot of documentaries and foreign films - stuff that doesn't require surround sound and an HDTV ;)
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