Just hours before Nintendo's E3 Direct earlier this week, rumours surrounding the launch of YouTube and Netflix services on Switch began to circulate once again. The reason for this was an error on North American retailer Best Buy's online store - which has since been removed - but the whole fiasco has resulted in a response from Nintendo itself.
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé - who has already been busy answering questions surrounding the recent share value decline and commenting on the future of third-party support - says that conversations for these services are "on-going".
“When we launched the Switch, we were very clear we wanted to position the device as a game-playing device. We’ve done that, and so you’ve seen Hulu for example come on to the platform. In terms of other services, the conversations are on-going. We’ve got nothing to announce right now. But certainly those opportunities will come in due time.”
Could we see YouTube and Netflix on Switch at some point in the future, then? It certainly seems possible. As always, we'll have to patiently wait for an official announcement on the matter - perhaps Nintendo will surprise-launch the services during a Nintendo Direct one day?
Would you like to see services like YouTube and Netflix arrive on Switch? Do you think they would add to the console's appeal? Share your thoughts with us down below.
[source bloomberg.com]
Comments 83
I love the Switch as it is. Just games. Consoles do far too much now. Though I would like to see themes come to it like the 3DS has.
Just get it done already
We could use some folders more than anything right now
I agree with those saying that part of the success game companies have seen on the Switch is thanks to the lack of distraction. Not being able to use the Switch to watch Netflix will make people buy and play games instead. I think it's been a good strategy, but to bring in more people, they probably will have to put these services on there eventually.
Yeah, folders and themes.
Why would I turn on the Switch to watch Netflix?
@Strumpan It makes me switch over to my PS4 to watch Netflix.
I was really hoping E3 would have details on a big UI update with themes and folders, and that Netflix might launch alongside that. Hopefully it's coming.
Always find it odd when it takes that long to do it. They throw their apps on plenty of garbage out there. Why not a quality console like the Switch.
Folders are my biggest wish and such a simple thing for Nintendo to add. I've got a lot of games and it can sometimes take ages to find one. The main thing I want folders for though is so I can separate games that are downloaded onto a different SD card.
What more needs to be said other than 'We want your app'?
Jeez, Nintendo. Are you guys communicating via morse code or something?
FFFFFFFRUSTRATING to say the least.
@Banjos_Backpack Don't download it then...
@SuperCharlie78 watching it in your bed if you don't have a tv. at least it's an option for players who also loves to watch Netflix. With that said
My android tabled died a few month ago and I think the switch would be a suitable replacement for netflix on the go (and if you add netflix, remember to add plex and prime video!)
@Con1990 WHY in gods name would it be anything but great if the switch could run Netflix and go on youtube. It only adds to the system?
I believe online connectivity is quite poor in some parts of the console. They should first look at improving such things before doing anything else.
Due time... When's that? When Switch 2 gets announced next generation?
@SuperCharlie78 you could equally say, why would folders or themes make my games better?
It's such a no-brainer to get these apps on the Switch...
Taking way too long right now. And an internet browser would be the best of all...
It is totally NOT ok to ask nintendo for apps like youtube or netflix, especially when they don't even have time to make games
I'm personally okay with not having the functionality. In my house I have 9 other devices that can run Netflix. 3 of which are completely mobile. 4 of the 9 are in the game room with my Switch. Granted, not everyone's situation is similar.
Ironically, if I want to watch Netflix or A&E I undock my switch to fire up a game then turn on my Roku on TV.
@Banjos_Backpack lol that's the most ridiculous piece of analysis i have read in a while.
People saying that they don't want streaming apps on their device so that it can remain solely a gaming device do not have to download these apps.
The people that want them should have the option.
It literally is only a positive proposition; because any negative can be eradicated by the individual not downloading them.
@Banjos_Backpack I don't buy the 'Not having Netflix/YouTube etc means people play and buy more games'. It just means when people are playing Switch and they want to pause to watch a show, they have to go to a different platform to do so. I'm constantly switching to my PS4 to stream shows and once I do, I usually stay there after as I remember the great games I have there or see my friends there playing online or see an ad for a PSN store sale or free PS+ games.
By not having these apps they are driving people to rival machines that do.
Options are good.
It’s like people saying “i don’t want themes on the switch because I want it to be a games console. I don’t want a clock on it because I want it to be a game console.
I don’t want third party games on it because I want it to a Nintendo games console.
I want less for my money. I don’t want more or different choices or options.
I have over 20 ways of watching youtube and Netflix. I just want less now
/s
@JaxonH "In due time"
Yeah, that due time was like a year ago at launch.
Great to see Reggie say - "our system is all about gaming, that's why we have Hulu on there." I'm not sure Reggie knows what Hulu is, nor all the people on here agreeing with him. Hulu defeats his and everyone else's argument.
@Banjos_Backpack People aren't going to pick up there switch to play splatoon; see the netflix icon and suddenly decide to dive into adam sandlers new bargin bin movie.
People will play their switch. Play their games. Get tired of said game. Decide they want to watch a show. Instead of getting there phone out/laptop say "hey, it's on my switch; no need to unplug my phone to cast or grab my laptop".
It's a small convenience.
It won't be people's main way of watching youtube or netflix; and it won't take away from the games at all.
Watching netflix on the switch means the system is in the user's hands. They'll likely go back to playing video games after watching their shows.
Options are great.
Still waiting for Crunchyroll
I’d love to use my switch and tablet more than video apps. I barely use that beautiful touch screen so if I could load it with apps like Instagram, web browser, mobile games, etc and just hold it on portrait mode I’d be happy.
Add Amazon whilst you're at it and I might even sell my PS4, lol. I am the same, I keep juggling between systems for watching flicks' and playing Nintendo. All in one place would be great, even better with downloadable shows that I can take with me and watch on a plane. It's again just taking unique advantage of the system being home and portable, why not make the most of it?
These two services might just drop randomly one Thursday much like Hulu did. But I do not like the fact that Hulu takes up a space on the screen.
Like the icon. I rather have like a folder or a separate icon that is strictly in the menu below the game icons for my media streaming services. Like I have a TV/Media icon next to photos icon.
I don't want Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, Crunchyroll, AmazonVideo to be the first icons I see when I wake the system. Nintendo probably doesn't want this either.
Should have been in by now. Pretty poor by modern standards not to have Netflix or YouTube on an online device. Almost as strange as shipping a console without an adapter or selling a wired controller with an unreasonably short cable. Glad Reggie reminded us to trust Nintendo's business decisions though.
I really don't see the appeal to be honest.. Most Smart TV's have built in Youtube & Netflix app's these days as do most smart phones.
I'd imagine the vast majority of Switch owners will be savvy enough to own either a Smart TV or Smart phone (most likely both)
Do we really need another device in the house to do what the other devices can already do??
Would it be handy if it did? Yes of course
Does it really matter? Absolutely not, the Nintendo Switch is purpose built for playing games and is selling perfectly well without a Netflix App
1st world problems at it's finest
@Geeks4Life It adds to the system yes, but people have many gadgets that have these features.
Why Hulu and not Netflix or Youtube? Makes zero sense. His argument makes no sense because Hulu is available on the Switch already. I'd love Netflix on my Switch, it has a much bigger screen than my phone for portable viewing.
It would just be nice to do a little gaming and simply flip over to one of the apps on the spot. Having these apps on multiple devices means I need to put down one device to get to another... It's the convenience that I'm after. Even if it's only minor. Nintendo saying that they wanted to focus on games first it's perfectly fine by me, but there's no detraction in having them on there. At the end of the day, people will use them how they see fit anyway, just get them there.
From promised feature to "ongoing conversations"
Count me in the list of people who don't care at all about having Netflix on my Switch. I can see why it would be useful to some people, but I have enough other ways to watch Netflix that I would get no value out of having a Netflix app on the Switch. I mention this because I suspect mine is a common situation.
Could use twitch even. Youtube etc. would all be ok as well.
To be honest, I like the gaming focus the switch has. Whatever it adds, it needs that instant on, instant play to remain.
@JayJ true
we need yt on the swich
@Con1990 "I love the Switch as it is. Just games. Consoles do far too much now."
The justification spin is real with this one. We're talking Netflix and YouTube, dude.
I’d love to have Netflix on the switch. Download a couple episodes and watch in bed on a slightly bigger screen than a phone. It’d be nice to lay down and watch it.
There's no need for these conversations to take this ling, though. They were on the Wii U.
Hamfisted Nintendo as usual. So frustrating.
I don’t see why not. I mean, the people who doesn’t want it doesn’t have to download it! It’s most likely going to be optional. Let us have it! That way, everyone can be happy.
Themes are the biggest “must be added asap” for me though. I can’t understand what’s taking Nintendo so long. And folders. Get real Nintendo.
I used to use my Wii for Netflix, since I have an older TV. Wii Netflix no longer works so if I want to watch on my TV I either hope for Switch or buy an overpriced iPhone cable.
@Banjos_Backpack "But Switch is different to Xbox and PS4 which are more entertainment on top of games."
Switch is only different in that it doesn't have the entertainment apps on top of the games that the others do. That's the only thing that makes the others "entertainment on top of games". You're saying the Switch doesn't have those apps because it's different as it doesn't have those apps. Sorry I don't wish to be rude but it's a bit of a non-statement. :/
I appreciate your concerns and theories though and it's good to have a discussion. I just feel it's clearly not an issue for the others who are not suffering at all from having all these apps (PS4 is doing particularly well!), so I don't think it would be for Nintendo. but mostly, I just want these apps on my Switch so I don't have to keep swapping devices
@SuperCharlie78 Because it's amazing amazing rig for it?
I have Hulu (US) and the Switch app is the main reason I keep the subscription.
I don’t use either of these services so I’m fine, thanks.
I use my Switch for gaming purposes only, as it was meant to be. 😃
@Marios-love-child Amen to that!
I am really surprised that we haven't gotten them yet, if it was any other console we would have gotten them a long time ago. I am not sure what is taking them so long, the fact that Hulu is already on there shows that it isn't difficult to do, and I have to think that due to the quickly growing fan base both Netflix and YouTube would want their services on the platform ASAP.
@rjejr
Just saying HI and letting you know I'm still alive...
I just realized that this feature is practically useless to me without the ability to get audio via bluetooth headset. Oh well still nice to have for people without a better way to access those apps.
@RandomNerds, why not use a bluetooth audio transmitter? I've seen people use that on their Switch and some say it works like a charm. I know, it's a dongle you need to plug into the audio jack, but it works. https://i.imgur.com/4jLOph9.jpg
@Realnoize As you said, "because it's a dongle." But honestly because I have a headset that seamlessly switches between my phone, my computer, and my tablet all via bluetooth and I'd just like a nice clean setup. But seriously direct bluetooth headset support would be amazing the go.
Honestly, I have these on so many other things that I can do without it on a console. But hey, if people think they want it, then why not?
@RandomNerds, yeah I know, it's not ideal. I've been spoiled in the past with the Vita supporting Bluetooth audio directly, which was super nice. But at least my current BT cans have both BT audio and a wired connection, so I use them for my phone, and when I play on my Switch, I just use an audio cable I carry along in my Switch case. I wouldn't use a dongle either. But I know some people do and they seem satisfied with this solution.
They need to just do this already. Does anyone need Netflix and YouTube on their Switch? No, but this is a bad conversation to keep in the headline.
I'd love a version of Netflix as long as it's the mobile version so we can download our shows to the Switch/Memory Card so we can watch on the go without needing a WiFI connection
I personally don't care much about these services, but geez....how much more time do you guys need?
@k8sMum Well good to hear. Always a pleasure to see your name pop up in my email inbox.
If you're still alive you must have missed most of E3 b/c it nearly bored me to death. Well the events, my 10,000 posts in 4 days between here and PS keeps me busy.
@Banjos_Backpack You make me want to slam my damn head on my table from reading your comments. The PS3 and Xbox 360 have YouTube and Netflix but that didn’t stop the systems nor the games from selling well. My damn memories of the two systems aren’t about me watching YouTube or Netflix. Stop defending Nintendo’s ADORABLENESS and laziness.
I don't really care too much about Netflix or YouTube... and it's true that most people have a phone that can handle that... BUT it would be really cool to be sitting in an airport with your Switch playing a game, switch to a movie, check your flight status, and read an important email.
I can't understand the lack of love for Netflix or Youtube on Switch, is not like people is asking for an email client or a Facebook app. Either way, if those become available I wouldn't install them anyway. Thank you!
To those saying they see the negatives to putting Netflix or YouTube on the Switch, what are you talking about? There are no negatives, only positives for those that want options and nothing lost for those who don't.
Every damn time this topic comes up there always some fool who has to chirp in with "I like the Switch how it is, just games". News flash for you, you can have that without needing to deprive those who want apps. The whole thing is a complete non-argument the community should be sick to the teeth of having by now.
@Folkloner Finally someone I can agree with.
Fix the voice chat first!
Would be handy to advertise those Directs if you could watch them on your Switch. Get a notification on your Switch a Direct's happening with a direct link that opens the Youtube app, boom. See games revealed you like, go directly to the eShop after to maybe preorder/download those games.
Now how useful would that be Nintendo?
Yeah, talks. Uh-huh.
I'd love these on my Switch. I'm much more likely to jump between playing and watching and vice versa if I don't have to switch between devices to do it.
@Banjos_Backpack Sorry, but these arguments make no sense to me. I do remember watching YouTube on my vita. What is happening now is that if I feel like watching something, I put down my switch down and get my phone. And then I keep watching because I can't be arsed to go back to the Switch. If I had the option to do both on Switch, I would be playing more as well. What the current state of affairs with the Switch makes me remember the most is frustration with missing features.
If you don't want it? Fine. But don't deem your choice best for everyone.
Cya
Raziel-chan
Not happening until the online service has been running for a while and Nintendo gets their sweet sweet data.
e3 is supposed to be a platform for announcements, but lately it seems to be the platform for "nothing to announce right now".
The idea that having video apps somehow causes people not to play games on a device is one that really confuses me. It's like saying having beer in the same refrigerator as milk somehow causes me not to drink milk. No, they are different things and done based on different factors. When I feel like videos I watch videos, when I feel like games I play games. Why would having the option cause me to do one or the other?
I personally think that adding in YouTube and Netflix would be welcome additions! We already have Hulu, but that doesn't account for everyone so why not cover all their bases. Make even more people in families with Switch consoles happy? Seems like a decent move to me! (I may have a bit of bias here because I just got Netflix for my family and don't really feel like lugging my Switch for games and my tablet for everything else with me.)
Hope they act.
@Koke ?? I use Netflix on Wii every single day, the other day I finished Erased on it. Never experienced any issue.
On Wii only youtube and crunchyroll are no longer working. Of course I am using the US versions of these apps but I figure it would be the same across regions.
@Banjos_Backpack Switch is a portable device. Of course having Netflix and YouTube would be advantageous. You mentioned applications as if video games or anything else that can be programmed to run on the system aren't applications. Very odd.
@Con1990: Agreed, I'd pay for new themes to choose from besides black or white on the switch; it's LONG overdue. Make it happen already, NINTENDO!
I subscribe to Hulu and its on my Switch, but it never gets used. Its a nice feature to add these things, but people do what they feel like doing. When I turn on my Switch, I feel like playing games. I’m sure many other players feel the indifference. I would like folders before any more services appear. One thing I like about PS4 is that video apps are automatically kept separate.
Inb4 games first is why it succeeded... oh way too late for that garbage. There are some major issues with the Switch, can we just admit it and stop being fanboys. It will make future iterations of the currently garbage OS better for everyone. When the launch 3DS OS is better then the year and a half Switch OS, you know they are struggling with the Android inner workings. They need to hire some Android programmers already, because Nintendo Online is a joke made reality. Netflix is on everything and the fact that it still doesn't exist on Switch either means Nintendo is doing some really bad stuff with coding, licensing or otherwise. Nintendo has somehow lost a lot of progress on their OS design. When the Wii embarrasses your current console from a usability, features, and apps front; you messed up so so so bad. Nuclear bad.
When multiplayer that already exists and cloud saves are your entire network for $20 dollars a year, you know you are disconnected from reality. Oh sorry, forgot to mention some garbage re-re-re-re-released NES roms also included in a quantity less then ten. I didn't expect them to match PSN or Xbox Live, but to be shamed so horrifically and still not offering on console chat (a feature of the original xbox had well over a decade ago) is complete BS. They can easily add it, but either refuse to realize the worth (insane logic) or are still so puzzled by the android OS that they don't know how to get it working right. Anyone claiming otherwise is just being biased. Nintendo needs to remove their head from their butts and get with the times or hire someone with a head on his shoulders. This is not the 1990s and they are ruining their chance to stay on top and grow. I can already see their slow fall into a distant third, especially once PS/Xbox next come out and Nintendo is still peddling separate chat and two to ten year old ports for full $60 retail when it is $10-20 everywhere else.
@Banjos_Backpack Quick! get off the internet and play your games before Nintendo lose any more revenue.
@Banjos_Backpack . Wtf, 'u wont remember watching a show on netflix 20 or so years down the line'? uh, who cares??' that has absolutely nothing to do with anything and reading all your comments make me gag. Giving the consumer more options are always a good thing, besides...u dont need to have the app on there if u dont want it...its just an OPTION. How can a person be against that and even say its a negative lol? and who cares about 20 or so years if u dont remember a game, I dont remember many of the old games i played back then, so what..., like seriously, im ashamed to be from the same era as you.🤔
@Banjos_Backpack Whats retarted is saying this should only be a gaming system lol. besides... Xbox and playstaton have apps, alao ability to play music!. The nintendo switch IS basically a tablet! It was made by the same people who made android phones ffs, they colaborated with it.., even has the same layout, and im suprised people disnt start noticing it, it just has nintendo branding and some magic in it, and the same chip is in nvidia shield dont forget!, Infact its switch layout is identical to version android .1.4 honeycomb, which was the older biuld they used for android phones back in 2006 or later.
@Banjos_Backpack still it will be useful since it has a kickstand and good if you don't want to get up and just chill. It won't affect sales at all really just it could be useful
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