SCEA announced that thePS3 is the first gaming systems on the market to get the latest version of the Netflix application for instantly watching movies and TV episodes as well as the only system to add a full title search capability.

Netflix subscribers can access the service via the PS3 system through a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc. Once within the application users simply enter a few letters and select the title they are looking for – they can begin watching their desired content in seconds.   Other consoles, in contrast, require Netflix subscribers to boot up their laptop or PC, go to the Netflix Web site, enter a search string, add the desired movie or TV show to their queue, and then go back to their console to choose and play that content. Netflix and SCEA will continue to expand on the entertainment experience delivered to PS3 system owners via the PlayStation®Network, including access via a native application in the coming months.

“The key to the PS3 system's early access is support for our Continuous Improvement Architecture,” said Bill Holmes, vice president of business development for Netflix. “The Netflix application on the PS3 system gets updated by Netflix so easily that we can deliver frequent upgrades with the latest improvements to PS3 owners.” 

Phil Rosenberg, SCEA senior vice president said, “We are thrilled to be the first in the marketplace to have Netflix search capability.   Search is fundamental to choosing movies and TV shows and we’re proud to be the only gaming system supporting the Netflix Continuous Improvement Architecture, which makes Netflix application improvements instantly available to the installed base of Netflix users on the PS3 system.”

The search functionality is available now to all users who currently subscribe to Netflix and own PS3.