One of the most unique features included in Microsoft’s NXE Update for the Xbox 360 was the ability to stream movies instantly from Netflix. All you need is an Xbox Live Gold subscription and a Netflix account. It seems the service is quite the hit.

Netflix has announced that over 1 million Xbox 360 users have activated their console to stream videos instantly to their console and they have watched 1.5 billion minutes of programming in the process.

Netflix’s library of about 12,000 instant movies and television series is mostly compiled of older content. Studios have been reluctant to allow their content to be streamed instantly.

I have to admit, I have used the service quite heavily for television series that I previously wouldn’t have watched on network television but the choices are fairly slim. Hopefully Netflix can hash out more deals with studios so we have a better selection in the future.

[Via Reuters U.K.]