Xbox Live Gold subscription requirement to be lifted for Hulu, Netflix

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Netflix and Hulu may soon be available via Xbox Live to all users – even if they don’t have an Xbox Live Gold subscription.

Ars Technica cites “multiple sources within Microsoft” for the rumour, claiming that the Xbox Live Gold paywall will be removed for streaming media apps on both Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

The site has been told that other Xbox Live services may be added to the Gold offering to balance the change, but could not confirm whether this refers to existing services or upcoming content like Microsoft’s original programming.

The decision to make the change is not yet finalised, apparently, and Microsoft is expected to make an announcement about the change at its June 9 E3 2014 briefing should it decide to follow through.

Microsoft has not commented on the matter.

The Xbox Live Gold paywall is a bit of a sore issue as Hulu, Netflix and cable channels already require a subscription, meaning users have to cough up twice. The PlayStation Network and Nintendo Network do not charge a subscription fee to access similar offerings.

Posted: May 12, 2014 11:23 pm
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.vg247.com/2014/05/13/xbox-live-gold-subscription-requirement-to-be-lifted-for-hulu-netflix-rumour/

Comments

slapshot101Posted: Tue. Jun 10, 2014

This was really good they also lived it for Youtube which made no sense why it was blocked without gold. It was a long time coming for them.

Standalone To be honest who has Xbox and only watches Netflix? almost everyone has gold so I find this pointless

A ton of people including myself don't have gold at times just because of not having money at times and other times I just like to play single player by myself and I haven't wanted to play multiplayer so I just use gold trials or buy a single month of gold. I still like to watch Netflix after a hard night of solo gaming and it's easier then having to switch to my DVD player or my other TV.

ProhibitPosted: Sat. May 24, 2014

To be honest who has Xbox and only watches Netflix? almost everyone has gold so I find this pointless

leiPosted: Thu. May 22, 2014

its kinda nice even though i always have gold.

DanimalsPosted: Sat. May 17, 2014

im glad they finally did this. its about time

ZipsPosted: Thu. May 15, 2014

Pretty nice to be honest :)

tellPosted: Thu. May 15, 2014

This will be great for the people who couldn't afford gold at the moment!

GossipPosted: Wed. May 14, 2014

Almost everybody who has an Xbox has XBL so I don't see how this is relevant.

GibbityTreePosted: Tue. May 13, 2014

Wayyyyy overdue but better late than never.

AR15Posted: Tue. May 13, 2014

nblz You would of thought they would've done this a long time ago. Glad to see they decided to finally do it, but i have gold so this doesn't really affect me.

You would think xD

But this is helpful to me! I don't have gold :p

nblzPosted: Tue. May 13, 2014

You would of thought they would've done this a long time ago. Glad to see they decided to finally do it, but i have gold so this doesn't really affect me.

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