14 DAY TRIAL // As soon as the autumn update for the Xbox 360 hits the Microsoft made consoles, users will have access to a big library of movies and television shows. And now Netflix, the provider of the programming, has announced having entered into a deal with both the Disney Channel and CBS Broadcasting in order to get the rights required to stream television shows created by the two networks to its customers.
The main target of Netflix in this deal are shows like Hannah Montana, The Suite Life on Deck, CSI: Miami and NCIS that have pretty big audiences and will likely be attractive to those who cannot see them when they air on TV. Netflix is committed to offering the shows for streaming no more than 24 hours after they are first showed. All Netflix clients will get the new shows and this will likely include the Xbox Live subscribers who will be getting Netflix programs after the much awaited fall update.
Some of the Disney programs covered by the deal will make it to Netflix this week while viewers will have to wait until November to see others. Shows which are no longer running on television, like Lilo & Stitch: The Series, Star Trek and MacGyver, are also covered by the new deal and Netflix is interested in offering them as standalones or in packages to its customers.
The Xbox 360 is promoting its non-gaming offering these days; Microsoft has decided to cut the price of its console in order to make it more attractive. Offering streaming for television and movies is high on the list of features which are set to attract an audience interested in doing more than playing on its console. The Netflix partnership is very important for Microsoft because it offers access to an ever growing back catalog of content which can be delivered to any Xbox 360 console via the Internet.