Netflix has announced it plans to roll out its streaming service to Europe as early as next year. They have said they will offer unlimited TV show and streaming films over the internet to compatible TV's and computers for a single low monthly subscription.

There is no announcement about the pricing structure yet, however it is looking like it will be streaming only, no DVD service like in the states.

Could this be some serious competition for Lovefilm and similar? More information will be released closer to the start of the service.

From today, you will be able to use the iPlayer website to search for and browse content from its competing services (ITV Player, 4oD and Five on Demand). This is part of a program where by the content providers share meta-data with each other, allowing users to search via one site but will still have to go to the other to view the content.

The other content will be accessible via the search system or the scheduling tools on the iPlayer site.

There are limitations and restrictions with this service, like content that may not be complete but this is a start to sharing data between the sites, working towards central systems that will be able to view all content.

Next question I have, is will WE be able to get this meta-data to provide links to the content here… we can hope that’ll come eventually!

Channel Five will, from today, be once again known as Channel Five. In what seems like a backwards step from its previous rebranding that happened in 2003 to just Five (dropping the word Channel) it has now added Channel back.

We’ve mentioned Lovefilm here before now, in that you can not only rent DVDs and Games from them, but you can also stream the films directly to your PS3.

However, this week Amazon have announced they are buying the film and dvd rental service, having run their own service for a period before closing it and partnering with Lovefilm instead.

This merger should enable Lovefilm to continue to develop and improve their services for their estimated 1.4million customers.

Lovefilm currently operates in the UK, but also parts of Europe, including Germany, Sweden and Denmark.

Just in time for Christmas, it has been confirmed that ITV and Channel 4 have reached agreements with Sony to bring their respective on demand video services to the Playstation 3.

While both have been available through the web for a long time, this is the first time either platform will be available on a console.

Recently Sony has made a big push to get media on the Playstation, making it a real media hub in the living room.

Lovefilm is coming to the Playstation 3 this November, this will provide a streaming rental service for UK users of the console. If you are on Lovefilm’s £5.99 or higher package you will get access to their streaming service as part of it.

The service will allow subscribers to stream films directly to their TV from the XMB (Cross Media Bar) and for those users who aren’t subscribers there will be trial options.

The service should roll out this November and complement the existing iPlayer system and the in the works ITV Player / 4oD services making the Playstation 3 the perfect media system for a home.

Sony have released news that they are in the process of bringing ITV’s ITVPlayer to the PS3 along side the BBC’s iPlayer. This news has been revealed during Gamescom which is currently running in Germany.

The new service is due to go live later this year, there are also rumors that Channel 4’s 4oD may be coming to the platform this year too, this really would position the Playstation 3 as the center of a home media system.

Sony have also announced other updates for European territories, bringing 6 new streaming media services to the platform over the coming months.

Not to be left behind, Virgin Media has opened up its new Player service for beta, uesrs to be able to access its new on demand system via a computer or mobile and an internet connection.

The new service will give access to content from MTV, ITV, Living, Disney and National Geographic. The new service enters its beta with hundreds of hours of content available for users to start watching.

The new service beta is available for XL TV customers to use on their computers, and Virgin Mobile Pay Monthly customers on their phones.

The service will go into full service later in the year, Virgin Media plan to add more content before then too. To take part in the beta you will have to register via the Virgin Media website.

While Sky 3D has been available in pubs for a period already, the availability of a home version of the channel hasn’t yet happened. Sky will be starting to broadcast it from October 1st. The 2010 Ryder Cup will be the first event to be broadcast in full 3D to every home that can receive Sky TV.

Not only will Golf be broadcast in 3D but upcoming Premiership football games and also 3D films from various movie studios to be shown.

If you aren’t yet ready for 3D, Sky are also adding more HD content to their platform, with the plan to expand to 50 HD channels by the end of the year.

Do you use the BBC’s iPlayer on your PC? Do you have a TV Licence at home? For those who don’t have an actual TV, but do watch the TV via the iPlayer you currently don’t have to pay the TV Licensing Fee. However this could be changed as soon as next year if ministers plans go ahead.

The plans follow growing evidence that more viewers are watching TV online than ever before, BBC iPlayer, ITV Player and others are becoming more popular than normal TV due to the convenience they give their users.

The BBC’s technology chief recently commented on web viewers currently getting a ‘free ride’ with the ability to watch the BBC’s services without paying the licensing fee. As an example, approximately 40% of students would rather use their laptop / computer to watch rather than an actual TV set. Due to this, changes in the way the BBC receives its funding are needed.

Nothing is certain yet, but discussions with the BBC Trust will happen later this year and could be brought into effect as soon as next year. The BBC has already started reducing its spending, this combined with changes in the licence fee could reduce the cost to each household.