Online and mail-order video company Netflix has no plans to bring its streaming service to Research In Motion Ltd.’s RIM-T PlayBook tablet.
“We don’t have any current plans to support BlackBerry devices, including PlayBook,” the company said on Twitter late on Thursday in response to a query.
Later Friday, in response to vociferous outcry on Twitter, the @Netflixhelps Twitter feed modified it's statement to open the door for future PlayBook support: "Generally we want to be on every screen that’s relevant to you. While we don’t support Blackberry today, our plans can change. Thanks all!"
Netflix has long been available for Apple’s iPhone and iPad and devices running Google’s Android software.
RIM’s library of third-party applications lags those of Apple and Android but the Canadian company has increased its focus on developers in recent months in a bid to close the gap.
RIM upgraded the software of its poor-selling PlayBook on Tuesday, making it possible for app makers to easily move their existing Android apps across to the PlayBook.
The upgrade also enables a BlackBerry smartphone to remotely control the tablet, which connects to a television via a standard cable.
It was not immediately clear if Netflix would port its existing Android app across rather than create a specific app for PlayBook.
Netflix has more than 24 million U.S. subscribers, where it offers both a mail-in service and streaming movies and TV shows. It also has also expanded its streaming-only service to Canada and parts of Latin America.
With files from Globe Staff
