Xbox Possibly Removing Gold Sub Requirement for Netflix, Hulu

Multiple insider sources claim that Microsoft is looking to get rid of the Xbox Live Gold requirement in order to let all Xbox systems have access to Netflix, Hulu and other media-streaming apps.

According to Ars Technica, multiple, internal Microsoft sources claim that the company has been briefed on plans coming to Xbox systems in order to let all Xbox systems have access to streaming media services regardless of Xbox Live membership type. This means that both Xbox One and Xbox 360 will no longer need the Xbox Live Gold's paid subscription service in order to access the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll, the WWE Network and the other media-streaming applications that previously required a Gold account. Of course, individual accounts with each of these programs will still be required.

These insider sources also claim that other services may be shifted over to Xbox Live Gold-exclusivity in place of the media-streaming apps. While nothing is official, we have a feeling that Xbox will formally announce these changes as part of its E3 conference along with some presentation of its multiple Xbox Originals TV series that are in the works. It is possible that the Xbox Originals service could be made Gold-exclusive content in order to make up for shifting Netflix, Hulu and the rest of the streaming media services out of the Xbox Live Gold paywall.

For the sake of comparison, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Wii, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS only need a viable Internet connection to access the likes of Netflix and never required any type of premium, online subscription to Nintendo or Sony in order to grant users access to these apps.