Interesting news from Netflix, which is looking for ways to keep ahead of its competators. I think I’d still trust IMDB more though. I wonder if they will use FOAF for the basic personal metadata?

Netflix Testing Networking System, Dec 10, 11:18 AM (ET)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Online DVD rental leader Netflix Inc. (NFLX) is putting social networking on its marquee of coming attractions for next year.

In its latest move to fend off competitive threats, Netflix will let subscribers invite friends to peek at DVDs they’ve watched and read their opinions of the movies. If the invitation is accepted, the sender automatically gets reciprocal rights to read the friend’s lists and reviews.

The concept copies an online networking approach popularized by such Web sites as LinkedIn, Friendster and Tribe. Those services connect people with common friends, hobbies and professional interests.

Netflix, facing competition from Blockbuster Entertainment Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), began testing its networking system last week and plans to expand it to all 2.3 million subscribers next month.

The company has long encouraged subscribers to post DVD reviews openly but those capsules appear in a scattershot manner and generally don’t provide much information about the writer. Under the new system, people can focus on the picks and pans of those whose opinions they value.

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