The online film rental and streaming video company Netflix continues to expand. The company announced that it has extended its streaming TV and film service to Mac users, while noting that Mac customers would need to install a Microsoft software component in order to stream films and TV shows with the Netflix service.
Netflix has complained rather loudly that Apple has refused to cooperate with the company in bringing streaming TV and films to Mac users. Specifically, Apple outright refused to issue Netflix a license for its anti-piracy software. This would have meant that Mac users could Netflix streaming films instantly, and without the need to install any additional software.
But without Apple’s cooperation, Netflix is forced to require Mac users to install a Microsoft program — something many Mac fanatics outright refuse to do. It’s no secret that there has long been a heated competition between Microsoft and Apple users. On the Apple side, users tend to see Microsoft products as inferior, and susceptible to a wide range of errors that are rare on Mac computers.
Because of this perception, many Mac users abhor all things Microsoft, and may be unwilling to install a Microsoft program in order to use the Netflix service. Obviously, this could end up costing Netflix lost sales, and the company has fumed about Apple’s refusal to cooperate openly in the press.
As for Apple’s part in all this, the company claims that the only reason it denied the Netflix request was because the company “does not license (our) DRM solution to third parties.” Apple reps had no further statement regarding the Netflix controversy.
So without Apple’s cooperation, Netflix was forced to turn to Microsoft’ Silverlight technology for copy protection. The newest Netflix player will take advantage of the DRM built into Microsoft Silverlight, which currently only works for Macs with Intel processors.
But even though Netflix’s Direct to TV streaming video for Macs is getting off to a slow start, the company claims there is a significant number of Mac users interested, who will not be deterred by the need to install one Microsoft software component in order to use the service.
Netflix rolled out it’s “Watch Instantly” service earlier this year, and the number of film and TV titles available on the service have been increasing monthly. With the addition of a set-top box to wirelessly transmit Netflix video to the user’s TV, the company is poised to be a major player in the post DVD media world.
