The headline says it all. Netflix Taps Microsoft PlayReady as Its Primary DRM Technology for Netflix Ready Devices and Applications.
This is very good news for Microsoft as well as those who make hardware devices using Microsoft PlayReady for content protected playback. Netflix already uses PlayReady for its Windows and Mac computer instant streaming service. This announcement adds PlayReady for hardware devices as well. The press release speaks of “Internet TVs, Blu-ray disc players, home theater systems, video game consoles and other devices.” I wonder what they mean by other devices…
According to the announcement, the first devices making use of the PlayReady DRM should hit stores this summer. Supposedly XBox360, Wii, PS3 and other devices that already have Netflix streaming support won’t be affected by the move to PlayReady.