Netflix and Samsung strike a deal

LOS GATOS, Calif., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Netflix, Inc. and Samsung Electronics America announced a partnership to allow consumers to stream movies and TV episodes via Samsung Blu-ray disc players.

The companies said the new deal means people can pick filmed entertainment from the Netflix Web site and stream it directly to their homes via Samsung's BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 Blu-ray disc players, which are currently available at $399.99.

Consumers who already own one of these Samsung DVD players can upgrade their device at no additional cost to enable instant streaming from a growing library of more than 12,000 movies and television episodes from Netflix.

"Samsung has been at the forefront of innovation in consumer electronics and has established a market leadership position in Blu-ray and digital television," Netflix Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Reed Hastings said in a statement. "We're excited about the upgraded Blu-ray disc players. Moreover, we look forward to working with Samsung in the years to come to deliver a variety of outstanding products on which consumers can watch movies delivered over the Internet from Netflix."

"In its new form, Samsung Blu-ray players become the ultimate content delivery box, combining on-demand access to movies and jaw-dropping full high-definition viewing," added Reid Sullivan, vice president of marketing of audio/video and imaging at Samsung Electronics America. "Samsung presents a new value proposition for Blu-ray players by positioning it as a portal to a world of engaging digital content, be it Blu-ray discs, movies from Netflix or other online content."