Microsoft is doing a rare deed by unlocking Xbox's Netflix app for all members of Xbox Live. Normally to use the Netflix app, you'd have to be an Xbox Live Gold member. However, Netflix is debuting their new original series House of Cards and they obviously want all the eyes on it they possibly can, so it appears Microsoft worked with them to allow anyone to use the Netflix app for this weekend only.

All the episodes of season one will be uploaded at the same time, so you should have just enough time this weekend to watch them all. Thankfully, you can do so on your Xbox, even if you aren't a Live Gold member. I've never understood why you should have to pay Microsoft to use the Netflix app, and apparently neither do commentors on the blog post:

might be worth noting that on Wii, Wii U, 3DS, PS3, Windows 8, Windows Phone, iPhone, iPad and Android, Netflix is ALWAYS unlocked for subscribers, and ALWAYS free to use just by owning the device. Love my Xbox, and I'd never lose my Live subscription, but Microsoft is out of line to demand a live gold account to use the Netflix app, or indeed ANY app that already requires a paid subscription.

 

Just leave it this way. I have no problems paying a subscription for Xbox Live, but it would nice if access to apps and such was free for all. Take a look around at the competition, nobody else is charging for access to apps on other services. This is one area that Xbox is being stubborn and archaic. I think of my mother(non gamer/casual) who bought a 360 for Netflix only to find out that she has to pay an additional $8 a month or $60 a year(retail) for access to an app that already charges a subscription. Lets fix this.

You can read the full announcement blog post on Microsoft's MajorNelson website.