Disc Free Netflix Streaming Now on the Wii

For all you Wii lovers out there who’s only console of choice is the one from Nintendo, your Netflix streaming dreams have come true. Today, the company announced that if you have a network connected Wii, a Netflix account and live in the U.S. or Canada, you can download software to your Wii that will allow for Netflix streaming.

This feature was previously only available if you had a Netflix CD inserted in the Wii. But now, no disc required. Just download the software from the Wii Shop Channel and you’re good to go.

With the disc eliminated for the Wii and with it never having been required for the Xbox 360, let’s hope this means a disc-less Netflix experience is coming soon for the PS3. It’s only fair. Plus, with the rather limited video capabilities of the Wii it’s a much better viewing experience to watch movies and TV programs via Netflix streaming on your PS3 or XBox 360. Still, nice to see Netflix getting away from the lame disc requirement.

Check out the full press release from Nintendo after the jump.

Netflix Now Available as a Download from the Wii Shop Channel

Watching Movies and TV Shows Streamed Instantly from Netflix is Now Just a Click Away

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Beginning today, Netflix members in the United States and Canada can stream content through their Wii™ consoles with Netflix installed on their Wii Menu. The Netflix disc that was used for instant streaming on the Wii console will no longer be required. Netflix members who have a plan starting at $8.99 a month ($7.99 in Canada), a Wii console and a broadband Internet connection can now instantly watch movies and TV shows streamed directly to their TVs by simply downloading Netflix from the Wii Shop Channel. This new channel is available at no extra cost. The new disc-free option installs Netflix on the Wii Menu, making it convenient for Wii owners to quickly access streaming movies and TV shows.

“At this time of year, consumers have a near-insatiable demand for family entertainment,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “And this simplified Netflix access will help bring families together more quickly, more easily and in more ways than ever before. More than 3 million Wii systems have already connected to Netflix, demonstrating how easy the service is to set up and use.”

“Wii is a consummate home entertainment platform and has quickly become one of the best and most popular ways to enjoy movies streamed from Netflix,” said Reed Hastings, co-founder and CEO of Netflix. “The availability of Netflix right on the Wii Menu adds significantly to the ease and convenience that attracts our members to the Netflix streaming experience and is an important step in our efforts to continuously improve the service.”

Wii offers consumers the most fun right out of the box. Precision motion controls, online access and great games are all included at no extra charge. For a suggested retail price of just $199.99 ($209.99 in Canada), Wii owners get:

The Wii console, Wii Sports™, Wii Sports Resort™, a Wii Remote™ controller, a Wii MotionPlus™ accessory and a Nunchuk™ controller
Access* to hundreds of downloadable games in the Wii Shop Channel, including original games like World of Goo and classic games from the NES™, Super NES™ and Nintendo 64™ eras
Access* to a variety of entertainment and informational channels, including the Nintendo® Channel, which provides information about current and upcoming Wii and Nintendo DS™ games
Access* to streaming Netflix movies and TV shows.

The Netflix service has been available on the Wii console in the United States since April 12, 2010, and in Canada since Sept. 22, 2010. For more information about how to stream Netflix through a Wii console, visit http://www.netflix.com/wii or http://www.netflix.ca/wii.

Remember that Wii and Netflix feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://wii.com and http://www.netflix.com.
* Broadband Internet connection required. Netflix streaming requires Netflix subscription.