Sony has confirmed the news that LOVEFiLM is indeed heading to the PS3. This means that LOVEFiLM subscribers will be able to stream the UK’s largest choice of subscription titles directly to their TVs, through their PS3s.
LOVEFiLM Chief Executive, Simon Calver, had the following to say:
“This is game-changing for LOVEFiLM and transformational for the UK home entertainment market as a whole. PS3 already has a very large installed customer base of all ages, all of whom will soon be able to benefit from our unique combination of instantly available content, streamed through their PS3, as well as DVD, Blu-ray & Games rental by post. To become PS3’s partner for our service is a tremendous endorsement of the value, choice and convenience offered by LOVEFiLM.”
The LOVEFiLM service will become available on the XMB (Cross Media Bar) on all internet-connected PS3s, providing most members of LOVEFiLM on subscription packages access to thousands of titles from major studios and independents, streamed instantly to their TV via their PS3, in addition to the rental by post services.
Members will be able to scroll through titles on the page, also search through categories including ‘Pick of the Week’, ‘Most Watched’ and ‘Highest Rated’, view ratings and search through the LOVEFiLM instant offering by title, actor and genre. LOVEFiLM will offer any PS3 users who are not already LOVEFiLM subscribers, exclusive incentives to join the service, including free trials.”
It’s not clear what this means for the current PlayStation Network Video Delivery Service, which also offers the option to ‘buy’ films rather than just rent then.
UPDATE: As pointed out in the comments, LOVEFiLM has updated their site with subscription prices:
“If you are a LOVEFiLM customer on a £5.99 or above package :
Sit tight for now. As soon as the service is live simply go to your PS3™ and activate your account.
I am a LOVEFiLM customer on a £5.99 with games package.
You also need to upgrade. You can upgrade now and start streaming films right now on your PC, and you’ll be all set to stream to your PS3™ as soon as the LOVEFiLM service goes live.
If you are a LOVEFiLM customer on a £3.99 package.
You can upgrade right now and start streaming films onto your PC straight away, and you’ll be all set to stream to your PS3™ as soon as the LOVEFiLM service goes live.
I am not a LOVEFiLM customer.
Sign up now on a £5.99 or above package to start streaming great films instantly on your PC, and you’ll be all set to stream to your PS3™ as soon as the LOVEFiLM service goes live.”
Source: Press Release
hobgoblin
So does this mean then that the PS3 browser will be getting an update? When I’ve asked Lovefilm support reps before about streaming to the PS3 I receive the following:
“This service is not available on the Sony Platform due to the flash player that comes included in the browser. This was designed to work on a PC with browsers which can easily be updated due to the necessity to protect certain content which needs to be rights protected.
Unfortunately unless Sony make a patch or upgrade you would be unable to use the streaming service on your Playstation 3.”
sully1311
no its an actually app like VidZone for eg
DrNate86
This is pretty tempting, so for a tenner a month you get unlimited streaming of all their films? I might trial it for a month and see how good the stream quality is.
DrNate86
Do many people use this for games? How easy is it to get hold of newer titles?
cc_star
I use it for games, never have a problem other than I often lack motivation to play them, I had Aplpha protocol sat unopned for 4 weeks next to my PS3 and I’ve had FIFA 2010 World Cup also unopened for another 4 weeks, if I wasn’t such a lazy git it would be great
BrendanCalls
I use it for games and have had a good experience with new games, Got Blur week after release, Spiderman:Shattered Dimensions few days after release. I find it really good for catching upo with games you regrettably missed.
Its absolutely ideal for something like Batman:AA, if you missed it but want to play Batman:AC next year
shields_t
I think I could do well out of this – if only I had no job and could put time aside to game/watch movies.
tonycawley
I don’t think it’ll work like that. I reckon you’ll just get access to their current watch now catalogue which is old and poor. New films just aren’t on there.
tonycawley
I don’t think it’ll work like that. I reckon you’ll just get access to their current watch now catalogue which is old and poor. New films just aren’t on there.
cc_star
No, you have access to their streaming catalogue which offers a few thousand films (nowhere near their full physical catalogue) as part of your package, or the option to pay a bit, for later films
djdustb
Looking forward to this. I have the top package with lovefilm and I am forever watching films, streaming on my interent connection gives me no problems on the PC so this will work a treat with me, will be great for an impulse viewing as opposed to waiting for something to be sent out.
daveydaver34
I joined lovefilm last week and was stunned to find you have to paid £2.49 to watch any films online that aren’t bargain bin rubbish, which is utterly stupid since I have unlimited usage and yet still have to pay for things. You may as well just use the current vid store for what little difference it’ll make
tonycawley
But the current ps vid store also has an extremely limited selection of good quality new films.
cc_star
What?
You pay your subscription for access to over 65,000 physical copies of movies, with games being additional to that number… the streaming of back catalogue films they offer is pretty impressive seeing as its an added bonus to what you’re subscribing for.
Of course some of the latest films of the additional streaming service are extra, but they’re still many times cheaper than rival stores like iTunes or even Sony’s own one.
There’s some great films which can be streamed free of charge, with the later ones having a small fee.
Everyone who subscribes to LF does so for the mail-in service rather than the additional streaming one which will become even more useful now its easier to get it on your TV, rather than a computer screen
BrendanCalls
Awesome, I already have a LoveFilm account and I can guarantee I will make good use of this.
Much more comfy watching it on the couch than the in the spare room
shields_t
Sorry to ask what is probably an obvious question, but do you get to choose what games are mailed to you if you subscribe to the physical postal service, or are they determined by LoveFilm?
hobgoblin
You can specify whether the film is low, medium or high priority. But ultimately, Lovefilm determines the order in which games/ films are sent to you.
yarg2k7
is this just for use of the onlineplayer or for all titles that lovefilm post out ? if this is just for the online player its just not worth it. i subscribed last month and cancelled immediately due to the poor choice of online film and quality of streaming. if this is for rentals aswell it will be worth it as long as the steaming is sorted
hobgoblin
Seeing as you can manage your rental list online, I would assume that this is for postal rentals as well.
Dar-Kaus
Had better think of switching my ISP to something that can handle this service if I want to take advantage of it.
Erroneus
Yay another service for UK and the rest of EU gets shafted again.
“From E3 2010 Sony conference: The video store will be available across the entire continent (Europe) within the end of 2010.”
Tic-tac Sony, tic tac.
OBBICH
This is really good news, I’m on the Unlimited & games (3 disc at home) package for £18.99 a month. I will definitely benefit from this!
yarg2k7
Doubt it. Your contract will be with Tesco who will be getting a share if the profit don’t think love film will be sharing the love on this just yet