Netflix announced yesterday its plans to use Microsoft’s Silverlight software in order to enable its online movie service not only to PCs, but also to Macs. The new direction will enable the playback of protected content on PCs and Macs through the software’s Play Ready DRM. The cross-platform technology offers a browser plug-in for the two operating systems. At this point, users running Windows XP or Vista view Netflix’s content through Microsoft’s Windows Media Player 11.

Netflix explained that the reason why Mac users were left out until now is that "Apple does not license their DRM solution to third parties," and Microsoft's Silverlight provided the needed copy-protection features. "The new Netflix player takes advantage of PlayReady DRM [digital rights management], which is built into Silverlight, for the playback of protected content on both Windows-based PCs and on Macs," Netflix’s officials added.

The company explained that the improvement will provide a faster and easier connection and also a more robust viewing experience with Silverlight. Another enhancement will be observed while fast-forwarding and rewinding, as both will be significantly easier to complete.

For now, Silverlight will only be used by a small percentage of the company’s subscribers but by the end of the year the new platform is expected to become available for all of its users. Silverlight 2.0 works on Intel-based Macs and enlists plug-ins for Mozilla’s Firefox and Apple’s Safari browser.

In order to attract more subscribers, Netflix will have to transfer many more of its titles to the Watch Instantly service, which for now lists about 12,000 movies.