Sony, Netflix in deal to stream movies using PS3

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Sony and Netflix announced on Monday that PlayStation 3 owners will soon be able to use the game console to stream movies and TV shows to their television sets or computers.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and the movie rental company said the new service would launch next month and would be provided at no additional cost to Netflix members in the United States.

Netflix and Microsoft reached a similar deal more than a year ago involving the US software giant's Xbox 360 videogame consoles.

Netflix, which lets members download films over the Internet or mails DVDs to their homes, has more than 11 million US subscribers.

Sony has sold nine million PS3 game consoles in the United States and -- fueled by a price cut -- the PS3 last month captured the top spot in game console sales for the first time, according to industry tracker NPD.

"The PlayStation 3 system has always been about more than just gaming," Sony Computer Entertainment America president and chief executive Jack Tretton said.

"It will soon be the only platform in the industry to offer consumers such a variety of convenient options for enjoying movies and TV shows," he added in a statement.

Netflix co-founder and chief executive Reed Hastings said the Sony agreement was in line with the company's strategy of making the movie rental service available on more devices.

"As instantly watching movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix becomes an increasingly popular way to enjoy the Netflix service, our goal is to rapidly expand the devices that stream to our members," Hastings said.